Former FBI Director James Comey surrenders and appears in court over alleged threat against Trump
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Former FBI Director James Comey surrendered to law enforcement for his first federal court appearance in the Eastern District of Virginia on charges of making a threat against President Donald Trump by posting a photo of seashells forming the numbers "86 47" on social media.
- Comey was released without conditions after a brief hearing, with Judge William Fitzpatrick noting no restrictions were necessary, similar to the previous case brought against him last year.
- The indictment, filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina, is part of a renewed effort by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to pursue cases aligned with President Trump's demands to investigate his perceived political adversaries.
- Comey's attorneys plan to file motions accusing the Justice Department of selective and vindictive prosecution; no plea was entered, and no arraignment date has been set in North Carolina.
- The case follows a prior dismissal last year of charges accusing Comey of lying to Congress, which was thrown out due to procedural issues with the appointment of the interim US attorney.
