Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal prosecutors have gathered significant additional evidence in the case against former FBI Director James Comey, signaling that the charges extend beyond a widely discussed social media post.
Comey is facing federal charges including threatening the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. The case initially drew attention after he posted an image on Instagram showing seashells arranged to form “8647,” a phrase interpreted by some as a threat against President Donald Trump.
Blanche said the investigation was far more extensive than that single post.
“This is not just about a single Instagram post. This is about a body of evidence that [prosecutors] collected over the series of about 11 months,” Blanche said, adding that the material was presented to a grand jury before charges were filed.
He emphasized that similar phrases appear frequently online without leading to prosecution, suggesting the case involves additional factors not publicly disclosed.
“That’s posted constantly… Every single case depends on the investigation,” Blanche said, noting that not all statements result in indictments.
Comey surrendered to authorities at a federal courthouse in Virginia and has denied the charges.
“I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid,” he said in a public statement, adding that he intends to fight the case in court.
A judge allowed Comey to be released without conditions following his initial appearance.
Defense attorneys are expected to challenge the prosecution, arguing that the case represents selective or politically motivated enforcement. They plan to file motions addressing those claims as proceedings move forward.
The “8647” phrase has become a focal point in the case.
The number “86” is slang that can mean removing or eliminating something, while “47” is commonly interpreted as a reference to Trump. Supporters of the president have argued the phrase implies a threat, while critics say its meaning depends on context and usage, per the Daily Mail.
Trump has publicly criticized Comey.
He described the former FBI director as a “dirty cop” and argued that the phrase carries violent connotations, suggesting Comey understood its meaning when he posted the image.
Comey deleted the post shortly after sharing it and later said it was simply a photo of a “shell formation” from a beach walk.
The investigation timeline has also drawn attention.
Blanche pointed out that nearly a year passed between the original post and the indictment, indicating that investigators conducted a prolonged review before bringing charges.
The case now centers on whether prosecutors can establish that Comey’s actions met the legal threshold for a criminal threat.
It also raises broader questions about how online speech is evaluated in federal cases, particularly when phrases have multiple interpretations and are widely used in public discourse.
As the case proceeds, additional evidence referenced by prosecutors is expected to become clearer through court filings and hearings, which will determine how central the Instagram post is compared to the rest of the government’s case.
