US EditionEx-FBI Director James Comey Faces Charges over "86 47" Post. How Strong Is the Case?
Prosecutors say the post could be read as a threat, and Comey’s defense plans to challenge the case on First Amendment grounds.
- Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in federal court Wednesday following a second indictment by the Trump administration alleging he made threats against President Donald Trump via Instagram.
- The charges stem from an Instagram post showing seashells arranged as '86 47,' which Trump claims is a mob term for 'kill him,' though Comey deleted the image stating he assumed it conveyed a political message.
- Defense attorney Pat Fitzgerald plans to file a motion to dismiss, arguing the prosecution is vindictive and selective, as prosecutors must prove Comey 'consciously disregarded a substantial risk' that his statement would be viewed as threatening.
- Aaron Terr of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression warned the case creates a 'chilling effect,' stating citizens should not fear government retaliation for criticizing the president.
- Legal experts expect the indictment to face constitutional challenges, as the Supreme Court has ruled 'true threats' are not protected speech while precedents like Watts v. United States protect crude political hyperbole.
13 Articles
13 Articles
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Bill Maher Mocks Trump Crew Over ’86 47′ Death Threat: ‘Going a Little Crazy There’
Comedian and pundit Bill Maher mocked the Trump administration’s claim that seashells spelling out “86 47” were a death threat on President Donald Trump. On Friday night’s edition of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the interview guest was Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic governor of California, host of the podcast “This is Gavin Newsom,” and author of “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.” The panel guests were Bret Stephens, Pulitzer Priz…
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