Could an '8647' T-shirt get you in trouble?

Key Points:

• Florida congressional candidate Mark Davis sells “8647” merchandise, a phrase expressing discontent with former President Donald Trump, which has become central to the indictment of ex-FBI Director James Comey for allegedly threatening the president.
• Legal experts argue that “8647” is protected political speech under the First Amendment, as the phrase is widely understood as slang for ejecting or removing someone, not a direct threat of violence.
• The indictment of Comey, who posted seashells arranged as “8647” on Instagram, is seen by some as politically motivated, with experts predicting the case may be dismissed due to lack of intent to threaten.
• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that indictments depend on the facts of each case and denied any double standard regarding similar phrases used against President Joe Biden, like “8646,” which have not led to prosecutions.
• Despite legal scrutiny, the “8647” slogan and related merchandise remain widely available online, with Davis and others viewing the phrase as a form of political expression and resistance rather than a criminal threat.