Tag

8647

All articles tagged with #8647

Prosecutors hinge seashell post on Comey’s fiction in high-stakes threat case
law-and-justice1 month ago

Prosecutors hinge seashell post on Comey’s fiction in high-stakes threat case

North Carolina prosecutors argue that James Comey’s Instagram photo of seashells forming “8647” alongside references to his crime novel FDR Drive shows a “true threat” against President Trump. Comey, indicted on two felony counts, has pleaded not guilty; prosecutors say the context and the novel’s villainy support their case, while Comey contends the charges are not warranted and discusses potential misunderstandings around slang like “86.” The filing also emphasizes that the decision to prosecute rests with the U.S. attorney, not the President.

8647 Merchandise Tests Free-Speech Boundaries in Trump Era
politics5 months ago

8647 Merchandise Tests Free-Speech Boundaries in Trump Era

NBC News reports that Florida candidate Mark Davis sells 8647-themed gear amid a broader online market; legal experts say the slogan is likely protected political speech and unlikely to lead to charges for buyers or sellers, even as James Comey faces a two-count indictment over an Instagram seashell photo that some see as a potential true threat. The piece frames the distinction between expressive symbolism and threats in today’s polarized political climate, with comparisons to 8646 merchandise and ongoing debate over what counts as permissible political expression.

Comey indicted again over seashell post deemed a threat to Trump
politics5 months ago

Comey indicted again over seashell post deemed a threat to Trump

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by the DOJ on two felony counts of threatening the president’s life over a year-old social-media post featuring seashells that spelled “8647.” The DOJ says the post constitutes a death threat against President Trump and has issued an arrest warrant; Comey says he didn’t know that “86” could be read as violent and removed the post. The case tests the Supreme Court’s 2023 standard that a defendant must knowingly understand their statement could be read as a threat, otherwise it’s protected by the First Amendment. This is the second time the Trump-era DOJ has pursued charges against Comey after a prior indictment for lying to Congress was dismissed on procedural grounds. The five-year statute of limitations may limit related actions, and the outcome could influence other cases against political opponents.