James B. Comey to surrender in Virginia on charges of threatening president's life
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Apr 29
James B. Comey to surrender in Virginia on charges of threatening president's life
10 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Apr 29
Comey will surrender Wednesday after a North Carolina grand jury indicted him over an Instagram post featuring '86 47' seashells, interpreted as a threat against President Trump.
Comey maintains his innocence, calling the prosecution politically motivated, while legal experts question the indictment's strength and its implications for First Amendment protections.
Comey's attorneys are expected to challenge the case as vindictive, referencing a previous dismissed charge; the Justice Department denies political motives and insists on prosecuting such conduct.
Will this case redefine the line between free speech and criminal threats online?
Could an ambiguous Instagram post of seashells lead to a lengthy prison sentence?
What does the history of the restaurant slang '86' mean for a federal prosecution?
How can courts prove the true intent behind a social media post using slang?