DOJ Shields AG Blanche from Comey’s Bizarre ‘8647’ Seashell Indictment
Justice Department Says Top Leaders Didn’t Order Charges Against James Comey Over Seashell Post
What Happened in Simple Terms
Imagine you’re at the beach and arrange some seashells to spell out numbers. You take a picture and post it online. Suddenly, the government says you’re threatening the President’s life. That’s basically what happened to James Comey, the former head of the FBI.
Important Point: The Justice Department (DOJ) filed court papers saying Attorney General Todd Blanche and President Trump had nothing to do with the decision to charge Comey. They say it was entirely one prosecutor’s independent choice.
The Seashell Photo That Started It All
What the photo showed
- Comey posted an Instagram picture in 2025
- Seashells arranged to read "8647"
- He deleted it later, but screenshots exist
Why prosecutors call it a threat
| Number | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 86 | Slang for "get rid of," "throw out," or "kill" (restaurant slang: "86 the order") |
| 47 | Donald Trump is the 47th President |
Prosecutors’ argument: "86 47" = "Kill President Trump"
Comey’s defense: He didn’t know "86" had violent meanings; his wife even sent him a screenshot defining it as just "refuse service"
Who Actually Made the Charging Decision?
The key player: Ellis Boyle
- Role: U.S. Attorney for Eastern North Carolina
- Action: Opened investigation and brought charges on his own
- Timeline: Didn’t tell the Attorney General until the day before presenting to a grand jury
What the DOJ filing says
"No one ordered or even suggested that Boyle pursue the ongoing investigation or seek an indictment."
The chain of events
- Boyle takes office as U.S. Attorney
- He reviews the seashell post
- He decides to investigate independently
- Day before grand jury: Tells AG Blanche "FYI, this might get publicity"
- Grand jury approves indictment
- Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel publicly support the charges afterward
This Isn’t the First Time
Previous case (dismissed)
- Charge: Lying to Congress
- Outcome: Judge threw it out last year
- Reason: Problems with how the Virginia prosecutor handled the case
- DOJ’s current spin: Dismissed on a "technicality," not because charges were wrong
Comey’s pattern claim
Comey argues both cases show the Justice Department is bending to Trump’s political wishes. The DOJ strongly disagrees.
The "Slang Dictionary" Battle
Prosecutors’ evidence
- Urban Dictionary / slang sources: "86" = kill/murder
- Comey’s wife’s text: Sent definition "to get rid of or refuse service" 2 minutes before posting
- Comey’s own fiction book:
- Features a character named "James Comey"
- Character posts coded messages to followers
- Followers attack enemies
- Prosecutors say this proves Comey knew how coded messages work
The book sales angle
"Not my intention, but I’ll be OK if it sells books."
— Comey allegedly told his agent about the viral post
The Constitutional Argument
DOJ’s bold claim
Even if Trump ordered the prosecution, the DOJ argues that’s perfectly legal:
"The Chief Executive directing his subordinates to exercise core Executive functions is a feature, not a bug, of our constitutional system."
Translation for non-lawyers
- The President runs the Executive Branch
- The DOJ is part of the Executive Branch
- Therefore, the President can tell prosecutors what to do
- Independence between President and DOJ is "antithetical to the constitutional separation of powers"
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
Recent threats against Trump (cited by prosecutors)
- Multiple assassination attempts
- July 8, 2026: Iran allegedly fired missiles at Air Force One
- DOJ says this context makes any threat-like post serious
But critics ask:
If there are real missile attacks, why spend resources investigating a seashell photo?
Summary
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Who’s charged | James Comey, former FBI Director |
| What for | Posting seashells spelling "8647" |
| Who decided | Ellis Boyle, NC prosecutor (alone) |
| Top leaders involved? | DOJ says NO — not Trump, not AG Blanche |
| Previous case | Dismissed last year (lying to Congress) |
| Prosecutors’ proof | Slang dictionaries, wife’s text, Comey’s novel |
| Comey’s claim | Political retaliation; didn’t know "86" = kill |
| DOJ’s constitutional view | President can direct prosecutions |
FAQ
What does "86" actually mean?
A: In restaurant slang, it means "we’re out of that item" or "cancel the order." In broader slang, it can mean "get rid of" or even "kill." Context matters — prosecutors say the "47" makes the violent meaning obvious.
Can the President really tell prosecutors who to charge?
A: According to this DOJ filing, yes. They argue the President has total authority over the Executive Branch, including the Justice Department. This is a highly debated legal theory.
Why was the previous case against Comey dismissed?
A: A judge found procedural problems with how the Virginia prosecutor handled the grand jury process — not that Comey was innocent.
Did Comey’s book really have a character named James Comey?
A: Yes. Prosecutors quoted passages where a fictional "James Comey" posts coded messages that lead to violence. They argue this shows he understands how coded language incites followers.
What happens next?
A: The judge will decide whether to dismiss the case based on Comey’s claim of political targeting, or let it go to trial. This filing is the DOJ’s attempt to prove the charges were legitimate and independent.
This article is based on a CNN report from court filings in the Eastern District of North Carolina. All quotes are from the Justice Department’s submissions or Comey’s previous statements.