‘I’m still not afraid’: James Comey pushes back on ‘86 47’ seashell indictment in defiant video

WASHINGTON, DC: Former FBI Director James Comey has issued a sharp rebuke following a federal indictment alleging he threatened the life of President Donald Trump through a social media post featuring seashells, stating "I'm still not afraid" in a new video.

The case involves an Instagram photo of seashells arranged on a beach to display the numbers "86 47."

James Comey denies charges, vows to fight seashell threat case

James Comey released a defiant video on his Substack after the Department of Justice brought new charges against him.

He pointed out that a previous case against him had failed and that the government was “back: This time about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago.”

Comey made it clear that he intends to fight the allegations head-on.

“And this won’t be the end of it. But nothing has changed with me. I’m still innocent. I’m still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary, so let’s go,” he added.

Todd Blanche alleges seashell post was coded threat to president

The legal trouble stems from a May 15, 2025, social media post showing seashells forming the numbers “86 47.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges earlier on Tuesday, April 28, arguing that the image was a coded threat.

“Threatening the life of the president of the United States will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” Blanche said.

The indictment, handed up in the Eastern District of North Carolina, officially charges Comey with “knowingly and willfully making a threat to take the life of and to inflict bodily harm upon the president of the United States.”

Patrick Fitzgerald vows to fight charges, defend James Comey in court

Comey’s lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, promised to defeat the charges in court, stating, “Mr Comey vigorously denies the charges contained in the indictment filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina.”

“We will contest these charges in the courtroom and look forward to vindicating Mr Comey and the First Amendment,” Fitzgerald added.

Comey ended his message by telling his supporters that “this is not who we are as a country; this is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be; and the good news is we get closer every day to restoring those values. Keep the faith.”

Notably, the new case follows an earlier criminal prosecution against Comey that was thrown out in court.

The previous matter accused him of making false statements and obstruction linked to congressional testimony about FBI leaks. A judge dismissed the charges after ruling that there were issues with the appointment of the prosecutor who brought the case.