BBC: Former FBI Director James Comey surrendered to authorities to face charges alleging that an image he briefly shared on social media posed a threat to the life of US President Donald Trump.
The case stems from a 2025 Instagram post shared by Comey, which contained a photo of seashells on a beach arranged to read “86 47”. “Eighty-six” is a slang term for “get rid of”, and prosecutors allege it encourages violence against Trump, the 47th president.
Comey denied any wrongdoing, saying he did not know what the numbers meant, and accused the prosecution of political motivation.
This marks the second time the justice department has brought criminal charges against Comey, a longtime critic of Trump. Comey did not enter a plea or speak during his brief appearance at a Virginia court on Wednesday afternoon.
His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said the former director would seek dismissal on grounds of selective and vindictive prosecution – arguing he was targeted for speaking out against Trump.
Judge William Fitzpatrick read the charges against Comey. He nodded as he was read his rights and later smiled back at his family when he was leaving, the BBC’s US partner CBS News reported.
Judge Fitzpatrick denied the justice department’s efforts to set conditions of release for Comey, saying they were not necessary, according to CBS.
Prosecutors have charged Comey with knowingly and wilfully making a threat to take the life of – and to inflict bodily harm – on the president, and also, knowingly transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to kill him.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. In a video statement on Tuesday, Comey said he was determined to fight the charges.
“This won’t be the end of it – but I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.”
Comey’s original post from May 2025 contained an image of the seashells on a beach that spelled out “86 47”, with the caption, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk”. Following a public outcry, Comey deleted the image and posted a follow-up note on Instagram.
