The U.S. Justice Department secured two indictments [1] against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly threatening the life of President Donald Trump.
This legal action marks a significant escalation in the conflict between the current administration and the former FBI chief, signaling that the government will pursue criminal charges for social media activity deemed as threats against the presidency.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictments during a news conference in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2026 [4]. Blanche said the charges stem from an Instagram post made by Comey in May 2025 [2]. The post in question featured a photo that displayed the numbers “86-47” [3].
Federal prosecutors allege that the specific numbering in the post constituted a threat to the president's life. The Justice Department said that threatening the President of the United States is a federal crime and that such behavior will not be tolerated.
"Threatening the life of the President of the United States will never be tolerated," Blanche said [1].
The announcement comes amid a series of legal challenges involving former government officials. While some reports have mentioned different charges, such as obstruction or false statements, the Justice Department's official announcement focused on the nature of the threat contained within the social media post [1].
Comey has not yet issued a formal response to the two indictments [1]. The Justice Department said that it intends to pursue the case to ensure the safety and security of the executive office.
“"Threatening the life of the President of the United States will never be tolerated."”
These indictments reflect a strict application of federal laws regarding threats against the president, specifically targeting coded language in social media posts. By pursuing charges based on the numbers '86-47,' the Justice Department is establishing a precedent for how digital communications are interpreted as criminal threats, potentially expanding the scope of what constitutes a prosecutable offense in the digital age.
