In 2025, former FBI director James Comey shared a photo of seashells arranged to form the numbers '86 47' on his personal Instagram page. What seemed like a benign post has now led to a federal indictment, with Donald Trump's government accusing Comey of threatening the President's life. A federal grand jury indicted James Comey for making a threat 'to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, the President of the United States' and issued a warrant for his arrest.
This move, driven by Trump's ego, is both pathetic and terrifying. It represents a chilling attack on free speech and a step down the authoritarian path Trump is carving through US democracy. While King Charles granted Trump a royal visit and spoke of the rule of law, Trump was simultaneously weaponizing the Department of Justice against his personal enemies.
The Absurdity of the Charges
The number '86' is common American restaurant slang meaning something is no longer available or should be thrown out. Trump, as the 47th president, makes '86 47' a phrase suggesting he should be removed from office—an uncontroversial statement for many. Yet, the administration claims seashells in the shape of a number constitute a death threat. Meanwhile, Trump himself has posted on social media, 'a whole civilisation will die tonight,' without facing charges for war crimes.
Trump has long believed he can use his office to attack political opponents. He recently fired Attorney General Pam Bondi for failing to secure charges against Comey multiple times. New Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears to be pursuing Comey to secure his own job. Blanche also immediately closed the Epstein investigation and stated no more files would be released.
Background on Comey and Trump's Vendetta
Comey has been a target since 2017, when Trump fired him as FBI Director for refusing to drop the investigation into ties between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia. Comey's daughter, Maurene Comey, was an assistant U.S. attorney in New York leading cases against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell; Trump fired her last year.
This case is one of many authoritarian acts by Trump, including ICE shootings, illegal deportations, illegal wars, and pressuring red states to gerrymander districts for Republican wins in the November midterms. The case is blatantly farcical, which is precisely why it is dangerous.
A Signal of Authoritarianism
Trump and his allies are not trying to build a legitimate case; they are demonstrating that they do not need one to go after enemies. A federal jury confirmed the spurious charge. Last September, Trump designated 'Antifa' as a domestic terrorist organization, despite it not being an organization at all. This designation aims to criminalize anyone opposing Trump's regime—a spectacular self-own if Trump is suggesting he is a fascist.
This case signals that Trump is closer to using the legal system against anyone he wants, regardless of legitimate charges. It is not a stretch to imagine him bringing phony charges against opponents in Congress. If '86 47' constitutes a death threat, other uses of free speech could be criminalized.
Potential Weaknesses in the Case
An unintended consequence of Trump placing unqualified loyalists in high-ranking positions is their incompetence. FBI Director Kash Patel appears to have jeopardized the case by disclosing evidence presented before the grand jury. The seashell post was from a year ago, raising questions about the timing of the indictment.
It seems Trump is desperate for a win. His war in Iran is out of control, the public is turning on him, inflation is soaring, and his approval ratings are at record lows. Despite King Charles's attempt at diplomacy, Trump has no interest in democracy, the rule of law, or international partnership. He is obsessed with winning at all costs, even if the contest is obviously rigged.
While the King speaks of shared history of democracy, Trump acts as if he has the powers of an absolute monarchy.
