WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 28, 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted James Comey and issued an arrest warrant in connection with what prosecutors allege was a threat against President Donald Trump, according to multiple confirmed reports Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors said a grand jury returned a two-count indictment accusing Comey of making and transmitting threats tied to a 2025 social media post. The post featured seashells arranged to display the numbers “86 47,” which authorities allege constituted a coded message referencing harm toward Trump, the 47th president.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that an arrest warrant has been issued. It was not immediately clear whether Comey had been taken into custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Justice Department has not released the full indictment publicly, but officials indicated that the case centers on whether the post meets the legal definition of a credible threat under federal law. Threats against a sitting president are treated as serious federal offenses and are typically investigated by multiple agencies, including the Secret Service.
Comey, who served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017, has denied that the post was intended as a threat. People familiar with his response say his legal team is preparing to challenge the charges, arguing that the content is protected speech under the First Amendment.
Legal experts say the case could hinge on how courts interpret intent and context, particularly when messages are ambiguous or symbolic. Prosecutors will likely need to demonstrate that the communication was intended and reasonably understood as a serious expression of harm, rather than satire or political commentary.
The indictment marks the latest chapter in a long and contentious relationship between Comey and Trump, dating back to the early days of the Trump presidency when Comey oversaw investigations related to the 2016 election before being dismissed from his post.
As the case moves forward, it is expected to draw significant national attention, raising broader questions about political speech, public safety, and the legal boundaries surrounding threats against elected officials.