CNN Reveals Indictment Against Former FBI Director: What Does a Beach Seashell Photo Have to Do With an Attempted Trump Assassination?
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Tuesday over a photo that officials said posed a threat to President Donald Trump, marking the administration's second attempt to criminally prosecute one of his top political opponents, three sources told CNN.
TL;DR
- Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of threatening the president and transmitting a threat via interstate commerce.
- The charges are linked to a social media photo of seashells spelling '86 47', which Republicans and administration officials interpreted as a death threat against President Trump.
- Comey maintains his innocence, stating he did not intend the post as a threat and removed it upon realizing the potential for misinterpretation.
- This is the second attempt by the Trump administration to prosecute Comey, who has been a vocal critic since his dismissal in 2017.
- Legal experts are skeptical about the case's likelihood of success due to high legal standards for proving 'true threats' and First Amendment protections.
- The indictment comes as the Justice Department, under Todd Blanche, accelerates cases favored by President Trump.
- Separately, a lawsuit filed by Comey's daughter, Maureen, alleging wrongful termination from the Justice Department, was allowed to proceed.