Comey Seeks Dismissal
James Comey asks a court to toss charges tied to his seashell Instagram post.
Summary
Former FBI Director James Comey asked a federal district court in North Carolina on July 27 to dismiss an indictment charging him with threatening President Donald Trump over an Instagram photo of seashells spelling “8647.” Federal prosecutors allege the post constituted a threat against Trump’s life. Comey’s lawyers argued the phrase “86 47” is a political slogan opposing Trump, protected by the First Amendment, and does not meet the legal standard for a “true threat.” The motion says dictionaries, context, precedent and common sense show the phrase does not connote a call for violence.
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