Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced tough questions on Sunday over the latest federal prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, who was indicted this past week on charges of threatening to harm the president of the United States. The case stems from an Instagram post in which Comey displayed seashells spelling out the numbers '86 47', a phrase interpreted by some as a call for violence against President Donald Trump.
Blanche Defends the Case
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Blanche insisted that the indictment is not based solely on the social media post. 'Rest assured that it's not just the Instagram post that leads somebody to get indicted,' he told host Kristen Welker. He emphasized that career assistant U.S. attorneys, FBI agents, and Secret Service agents conducted a thorough investigation before bringing charges.
Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017 amid the Russia investigation, has denied any intent to incite violence. He removed the post last year and issued an apology. Legal experts widely regard the case as meritless if it relies only on the Instagram post, and even some Republicans have expressed doubt about its success.
Background of the Case
This marks the second attempt by the Trump administration to prosecute Comey. Last September, he was charged with lying to Congress, but those charges were dismissed by a judge who ruled that the lead prosecutor was illegally appointed. The new indictment comes after Trump publicly called for the Justice Department to take action against his perceived enemies.
In a Truth Social post in September 2025, Trump urged then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to issue indictments, naming Comey, Adam Schiff, and Letitia James. Bondi was later removed after failing to secure convictions. Blanche now faces pressure to deliver results or risk the same fate.
Reactions and Broader Context
Senator Adam Schiff, a frequent Trump target, called the case 'weak' and predicted it would be thrown out before trial. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, also under investigation, said he would remain on the board until the probe concludes transparently. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has seen an exodus of career attorneys concerned about politicization.
Comey responded to the indictment in a Substack post, stating, 'This won't be the end of it. But nothing has changed. I'm still innocent; I'm still not afraid. I still believe in an independent justice system.'
Blanche acknowledged that thousands of Americans who have used the phrase '86 47'—widely available on merchandise—should not fear prosecution, emphasizing that each case is judged on its own merits.
