During a recent appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche discussed the federal indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, revealing that it encompasses more than just the notorious beach photo.
Blanche addressed inquiries from host Kristen Welker about a May 2025 Instagram post where Comey showcased seashells arranged in the shape of ’86 47.’ Prosecutors have argued that this arrangement poses a threat to President Donald Trump, interpreting ’86’ as slang indicating harm.
The Attorney General stressed that the indictment was the result of a lengthy investigation rather than solely the Instagram posting. He disclosed that dedicated prosecutors, FBI agents, and Secret Service personnel conducted an extensive 11-month probe prior to the grand jury’s decision to indict on April 28.
He clarified that the grand jury was the body that decided to proceed with the indictment, underscoring that it was backed by ample evidence, including testimonies and documentation. However, he refrained from discussing specific details due to grand jury protocols.
“Rest assured, the team involved didn’t limit their investigation to just the Instagram post,” Blanche asserted. He assured that the thorough review was necessary for justifying the indictment.
He also pointed out that similar language might appear in various contexts and doesn’t inherently lead to charges, highlighting the significance of evaluation in each case.
The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, accuses Comey of two serious felonies: threatening President Trump and transmitting a threat across state lines via his Instagram post.
In the post, which was later removed, Comey described the seashell arrangement as an innocuous find during a beach walk, maintaining that it was not meant to convey a threat.
Federal investigations were initiated shortly after the controversial post, and multiple agencies collaborated in the inquiry. A grand jury ultimately reviewed the compiled evidence and issued the indictment in late April.
In addition, Comey was previously charged in an unrelated federal case in September 2025 with making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding concerning his past testimony about the 2016 Russia investigation. He pleaded not guilty, and that case was ultimately dismissed on a technicality.
