"…Legally speaking, prosecuting Comey may be fruitless as any legal action would stand little chance, especially after a recent Supreme Court decision regarding threats and among a judiciary that has expanded free speech rights in recent years, legal experts say."

"…Overheated political rhetoric has long been a subject of controversy."

"…Comey responded to the backlash by deleting the post, which he said he assumed were a “political message.”"

"…Comey has since been a public critic of Trump and a writer."

"…The post ignited a firestorm on the right, with Trump loyalists accusing the former FBI director of calling for the president’s assassination."

"…Comey – who emerged as a Trump critic after the president fired him early in his first term – denied that the picture was a call for violence."