Former FBI Director James Comey turned himself in on Wednesday following his indictment by a federal grand jury in North Carolina the previous day. The charges stem from a 2025 social media post in which he shared a photo of seashells laid out to form the number “8647.”
Many viewed the message as a veiled threat against President Trump, America’s 47th president. The number “86” is commonly used in the food service industry to mean “remove from the menu,” and in bars it serves as code for ejecting a patron.
According to CNN, Comey appeared in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia on Wednesday. He left the courthouse after a brief 10-minute hearing with no release conditions.
Comey was not required to enter a plea during the hearing. His attorneys informed the judge that they plan to file motions accusing the Trump Department of Justice of politically targeting their client.
An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled, and it remains unclear when Comey will be required to appear in the North Carolina federal court.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment on Tuesday, stating that the former FBI Director could face up to 20 years in prison for threatening the President of the United States.
