Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the criminal charges against former FBI director James Comey, insisting the case is based on more than an Instagram post. The Department of Justice indicted Comey on two felony counts last Tuesday over a photo of seashells arranged to read '86 47', which Trump allies interpreted as a threat. Comey has denied any wrongdoing and apologised for the post.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Blanche said the indictment relies on additional evidence, including witness testimony and documents. However, he declined to provide specifics, stating that the evidence would be presented at a public trial. Critics, including some Republican allies, have questioned the strength of the case.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina told CNN's State of the Union that the justice department must offer more than the photo to justify the charges. 'It better be more than just the picture,' he said. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff called the case 'weak' and predicted it would be dismissed before trial.
Blanche, who is reportedly seeking permanent appointment as attorney general, has pursued cases against Trump's political rivals since replacing Pam Bondi. The Comey case is being handled by W Ellis Boyle, the acting US attorney for eastern North Carolina, whose prosecutorial experience is limited to Medicaid fraud. Experienced lawyers reportedly left the investigation earlier, according to Bloomberg Law.
