DOJ Investigation of James Comey’s Handling of Sensitive Memoranda

The former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey, has recently been the subject of multiple federal indictments related to his public social media activity and his handling of official records. In April 2026, he was charged with two felony counts: knowingly and willfully making a threat against the President of the United States and transmitting that threat through interstate commerce. These charges stem from an Instagram post he shared in May 2025 depicting seashells on a beach arranged to form the numbers "86 47". Federal prosecutors allege that a reasonable person would interpret this image as a serious expression of intent to harm the President.The legal and cultural controversy surrounding the post involves the interpretation of modern slang. In American English, the number "86" is long-standing shorthand for ejecting, removing, or refusing service to someone. When combined with "47"—a reference to the 47th President—critics and investigators argued the sequence functioned as a coded call for the President's removal or assassination. While the term "86" is commonly used in the restaurant industry to mean an item is unavailable, it can also carry aggressive or final connotations in political or online spaces.Following the indictment, the former director maintained his innocence, claiming he viewed the shell formation as a "political message" and did not realize it would be associated with violence. He stated that he opposes violence of any kind and deleted the post once he became aware of the negative interpretation. His legal defense team has framed the prosecution as an attempt to punish a political rival and has vowed to contest the charges on First Amendment grounds.This legal battle follows a series of investigations into his conduct since his dismissal from the FBI in 2017. A prior investigation by the Office of the Inspector General found that he violated department policies by retaining and sharing sensitive memoranda documenting his private meetings with the President. Although he argued these notes were personal "aide-mémoire," the government determined they were official records created during the course of his duties. He notably admitted to sharing the contents of one such memo with a personal associate to ensure it reached the media, a move intended to pressure the Justice Department into appointing a special counsel.In addition to the seashell-related charges, he faced a previous indictment in September 2025 for allegedly making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. Those charges were related to his 2020 testimony regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. However, that case was dismissed in November 2025 after a federal judge found that the lead prosecutor had been unlawfully appointed to her position. Despite these repeated legal challenges and a warrant for his arrest being issued in the current case, the former director has publicly stated that he is not afraid and remains committed to the independent federal judiciary.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-world-between-us--6886561/support.