DOJ Firewalls AG Blanche From Comey’s ‘8647’ Seashell Indictment
Justice Department Says Top Leaders Weren’t Involved in Charging James Comey Over Seashell Post
What Happened? The Short Version
Important Point: The U.S. Justice Department filed court papers saying Attorney General Todd Blanche and President Trump did not order or suggest criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey. The decision came from a local U.S. Attorney named Ellis Boyle in Eastern North Carolina.
In 2025, James Comey posted a photo on social media showing seashells arranged to spell "8647." This sparked a huge controversy, leading to criminal charges. Here’s the full story explained simply.
The Seashell Photo: What Did It Mean?
Breaking Down the Numbers
| Number | Common Meaning | How It Applies Here |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | Slang for "get rid of," "throw out," or "cancel" (like "86 the order") | Could mean "get rid of" |
| 47 | Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States | Refers to Trump specifically |
Put together: "86 47" → "Get rid of President Trump"
Why This Matters
- Prosecutors’ view: This is a threat on the President’s life
- Comey’s view: He didn’t know "86" could mean violence; he thought it just meant "remove from office"
- Key detail: Two minutes before posting, Comey’s wife sent him a definition showing "86" means "refuse service" — not murder
Who Made the Charging Decision?
The Chain of Command
- Ellis Boyle → U.S. Attorney for Eastern North Carolina (the local federal prosecutor)
- Todd Blanche → Attorney General (top Justice Department official)
- Donald Trump → President of the United States
What the Court Filing Says
"No one ordered or even suggested that Boyle pursue the ongoing investigation or seek an indictment."
— Justice Department court filing
Timeline of events:
- Boyle looked into the matter after starting his job
- Boyle made the decision alone to seek charges
- Boyle told Blanche the day before presenting to a grand jury
- Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel publicly supported Boyle after the indictment
This Isn’t the First Time
Previous Case Against Comey
- What: Charges alleging Comey lied to Congress
- Result: Dismissed by a judge last year
- Why: Problems with how the Virginia U.S. Attorney handled the case
- Prosecutors’ claim: Dismissed on a "technicality," not because charges were wrong
Important Point: Comey argues both cases show the Justice Department is bending to Trump’s political wishes. The Justice Department strongly denies this.
The Legal Argument: Can the President Direct Prosecutions?
The Justice Department’s Bold Claim
Even if Trump had directed the prosecution (which they say he didn’t), prosecutors argue:
"The Chief Executive directing his subordinates to exercise core Executive functions is a feature, not a bug, of our constitutional system."
In plain English: The President is the boss of the Justice Department. Telling prosecutors what to do is normal and constitutional, not wrong.
Evidence Prosecutors Cited
1. Slang Dictionaries vs. Regular Dictionaries
- Prosecutors used: Urban Dictionary, slang references → "86" = kill/murder
- Comey used: Merriam-Webster, Oxford → "86" = remove/cancel
2. Comey’s Own Novel
- Comey wrote a fiction book coming out soon after the post
- Prosecutors’ twist: The book’s villain is a "charismatic leader" who posts coded messages → followers attack enemies
- Quote from filing: "On May 15, 2025, a charismatic leader named James Comey… posted a coded message to his followers meaning ‘kill’ or ‘get rid of’ President Trump."
3. Comey’s Agent & Book Sales
- Comey’s agent flagged the post would help sell books
- Comey allegedly said: "Not my intention, but I’ll be OK if it sells books."
Recent Threats Against Trump: Context or Excuse?
Prosecutors listed recent dangers to Trump:
- Multiple assassination attempts
- Iran missile attack on Air Force One (July 8, 2026) — confirmed by CNN
Important Point: Prosecutors say these threats justify investigating Comey’s post. Critics say they don’t explain why this specific post got such intense focus.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- Independence claimed: Local prosecutor Ellis Boyle decided alone to charge Comey
- Top leaders notified late: AG Blanche knew only one day before grand jury
- Public support after: Blanche and FBI Director Patel stood with Boyle after charges filed
- Meaning of "8647" disputed: Threat vs. innocent slang misunderstanding
- Constitutional argument: DOJ says President can direct prosecutions if he wants to
- Pattern alleged: Comey says this is second politically motivated case; DOJ disagrees
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What does "86" actually mean?
It depends on context. In restaurant slang: "remove from menu" or "refuse service." In some criminal/street slang: "kill" or "eliminate." Prosecutors cite the second meaning; Comey says he only knew the first.
Did James Comey actually threaten the President?
That’s what a jury would decide. Prosecutors say yes (coded threat). Comey says no (didn’t know violent meaning). The case hasn’t gone to trial yet.
Can the President tell the Justice Department who to prosecute?
Legally complicated. Traditionally, DOJ operates independently to avoid political abuse. But this DOJ argues the President has full authority over executive branch prosecutions. Courts haven’t fully settled this.
Why was the previous case against Comey dismissed?
A judge found procedural problems with how the Virginia prosecutor brought the case — not that Comey was innocent. Prosecutors call it a "technicality."
What happens next?
The case moves forward in federal court in Eastern North Carolina. Comey’s lawyers will fight the charges. A trial could happen months from now.
Final Thought
This case sits at the intersection of free speech, political rivalry, and presidential power. Whether a seashell photo counts as a death threat — and whether the Justice Department can stay independent — are questions that go far beyond James Comey.