The Justice Department filed new criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director, on Tuesday. Comey was charged in federal court in the eastern district of North Carolina over a picture he posted on Instagram while on vacation last year, in which sea shells were arranged to say “86 47.” The post was taken as a threat to Donald Trump. The number 86 can be used as shorthand for getting rid of something, and Trump is the 47th president. Comey subsequently deleted the post and apologized, saying he didn’t realize the numbers were associated with violence.
Details of the Charges
Comey was charged with two felonies: making a threat against the president and transmitting that threat via social media across state lines. Both counts are punishable with a fine and a prison sentence of up to five years. The indictment, made public on Tuesday, says that a reasonable person “would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States.”
Political Context
The new indictment marks the latest instance in which Trump’s justice department has used its power to target the US president’s political enemies. The justice department also criminally charged Letitia James, the New York attorney general, last year on thin allegations of mortgage fraud. That case was dismissed for the same reason Comey’s earlier case was tossed.
Comey has long been the subject of Trump’s wrath over his investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia, and Trump allies had called for the former FBI director to be punished. Even though the post was widely seen as a non-violent anti-Trump expression, federal law enforcement officials investigated the matter and interviewed Comey.
Other Developments
In other news, Donald Trump praised the “special relationship” between the US and the UK during a ceremonial welcome for King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House. The US’s top media watchdog announced it is accelerating the review of eight local broadcasting licenses used by ABC after a Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump. The United Arab Emirates quit the Opec oil cartel after 60 years, a win for Trump. King Charles praised Nato and urged defence of Ukraine in a speech during Trump’s visit. Conspiracy theories spread after an armed man attempted to breach a ballroom where Trump was set to speak. The US will issue ‘America250’ passports featuring Donald Trump’s image. Applicants seeking a temporary visa to the US must now tell a consular officer they have not experienced harm and do not fear returning home. The Trump administration blocked two permitted wind energy projects. Federal agents descended on Minnesota’s Twin Cities to target alleged daycare fraud. Todd Blanche, acting attorney general, was sued over alleged violation of a law requiring release of the Epstein files. An army soldier charged with insider trading on Maduro’s removal pleaded not guilty.
