Former FBI Director James Comey filed a motion on July 27, 2026, in a federal court to dismiss an indictment stemming from a social media post that featured seashells arranged in the shape of '86 47.' The Trump administration's indictment alleges that the post constituted a threat against President Donald Trump, a claim Comey's lawyers dispute, arguing it does not represent a 'true threat' but rather 'mere political hyperbole.'
Comey's attorneys contend that the phrase '86' means 'get rid of' and lacks violent connotations, asserting that no reasonable observer would interpret '86 47' as a call to violence. The motion was submitted in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where Comey reportedly took the photo of the seashells last year. He deleted the post after it drew criticism, which led to an investigation by the Secret Service.
Comey faces two charges related to threatening the president and has denied any wrongdoing. This case marks the second indictment against him during Trump’s presidency; the first was dismissed by a federal judge in Virginia. Comey's legal team argues that prosecuting him infringes upon his First Amendment rights, as the seashell arrangement was not created by him but was already present when he encountered it on the beach.