All articles tagged with #8647
US Park Police are investigating a large 8647 imprint in the National Mall grass, with samples collected to determine the cause; the numbers are linked to the slang 'eighty-six' and alleged threats against Trump, while prosecutors pursue charges against former FBI director James Comey over a beach-number post.
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.
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.