Former FBI Director James Comey asks a federal judge to dismiss charges accusing him of threatening President Donald Trump. Prosecutors say Comey posted an Instagram photograph showing seashells arranged to form the text “86 47.” In court filings, Comey argues the image does not qualify as a “true threat” under federal law, contending it lacks the intent or seriousness required for criminal liability.
The motion is filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where Comey is reported to have visited a beach as part of the matter. The central legal dispute described across the reports is whether the seashell arrangement, standing alone, can be treated as a threatening statement rather than ambiguous or non-violent expression.
The outlets agree that the request is focused on the legal standard for what constitutes a punishable threat and that Comey is challenging the sufficiency of the government’s case on that basis. A decision from the court is not reported in the provided excerpts.
