Mysterious Shell Photo Involving Threat to Trump Leads to Comey Indictment; Comey Insists Innocence and Fearlessness
Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted for allegedly threatening former President Trump via a social media post featuring a mysterious shell photo with the numbers "8647." Comey maintains his "innocence" and asserts he is "not afraid," defending the post as unintentional and not intended to incite violence.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 09:48
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 10:01 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 10:06 (4 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 28th, compiled from foreign reports) US officials stated today that former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey was indicted for uploading a "mysterious number" shell photo to social media last year, accused of threatening the life of President Trump; Comey firmly maintains his "innocence" and is utterly fearless.
According to AFP, the indictment by a North Carolina grand jury stems from a photo posted by Comey, 65, on Instagram last May, showing him and his wife walking on a beach and discovering someone had arranged shells to form the numbers 8647.
Trump, in an interview with Fox News at the time, claimed that 86 in American slang means "get rid of" or "kill," and 47 refers to him as the 47th President of the United States.
Trump stated then: "He fully knew what that meant, which is assassination, very clear and easy to understand."
The indictment states that the shells arranged to form 8647 were a "clear expression of intent to cause death or bodily harm to the President of the United States."
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said Comey faces two charges, including "willfully threatening with intent to cause death or bodily harm to the President of the United States," and interstate transmission of a threatening message. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Blanche said: "I think it's safe to say that threatening anyone's life is a dangerous move and can also constitute a crime. The Department of Justice will never tolerate acts threatening the life of the President of the United States."
Comey had previously apologized for the post, saying he uploaded the photo to social media without much thought and "did not realize that some people would associate this set of numbers with violence."
Comey later deleted the post and issued a statement denying it was incitement to violence.
Comey said: "Even though I found that idea absurd, I still didn't want to be associated with any violence."
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin condemned the latest indictment against Comey, calling it "baseless" and a "petty retaliation."
Comey today insisted he is "innocent" and fearless.
In a video statement, he said: "I am innocent, and I am not afraid, I still believe in an independent federal judicial system, so bring it on!" (Translator: Liu Wen-yu) 1150429
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(Central News Agency, Washington, 28th, compiled from foreign reports) US officials stated today that former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey was indicted for uploading a "mysterious number" shell photo to social media last year, accused of threatening the life of President Trump; Comey firmly maintains his "innocence" and is utterly fearless.
According to AFP, the indictment by a North Carolina grand jury stems from a photo posted by Comey, 65, on Instagram last May, showing him and his wife walking on a beach and discovering someone had arranged shells to form the numbers 8647.
Trump, in an interview with Fox News at the time, claimed that 86 in American slang means "get rid of" or "kill," and 47 refers to him as the 47th President of the United States.
Trump stated then: "He fully knew what that meant, which is assassination, very clear and easy to understand."
The indictment states that the shells arranged to form 8647 were a "clear expression of intent to cause death or bodily harm to the President of the United States."
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said Comey faces two charges, including "willfully threatening with intent to cause death or bodily harm to the President of the United States," and interstate transmission of a threatening message. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Blanche said: "I think it's safe to say that threatening anyone's life is a dangerous move and can also constitute a crime. The Department of Justice will never tolerate acts threatening the life of the President of the United States."
Comey had previously apologized for the post, saying he uploaded the photo to social media without much thought and "did not realize that some people would associate this set of numbers with violence."
Comey later deleted the post and issued a statement denying it was incitement to violence.
Comey said: "Even though I found that idea absurd, I still didn't want to be associated with any violence."
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin condemned the latest indictment against Comey, calling it "baseless" and a "petty retaliation."
Comey today insisted he is "innocent" and fearless.
In a video statement, he said: "I am innocent, and I am not afraid, I still believe in an independent federal judicial system, so bring it on!" (Translator: Liu Wen-yu) 1150429
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.