New indictment marks latest instance in which Trump’s justice department has used its power to target president’s political enemies – key US politics stories from 28 April 2026 at a glance
The justice department filed new criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director, on Tuesday.
Comey was charged in federal court in the eastern district of North Carolina over a picture he posted on Instagram while on vacation last year in which sea shells were arranged to say “86 47”. The post was taken as a threat to Donald Trump. The number 86 can be used as shorthand for getting rid of something, and Trump is the 47th president. Comey subsequently deleted the post and apologized, saying he didn’t realize the numbers were associated with violence.
Comey was charged with two felonies – making a threat against the president and transmitting that threat, via social media, across state lines. Both counts are punishable with a fine and a prison sentence of up to five years.
The new indictment marks the latest instance in which Trump’s justice department has used its power to target the US president’s political enemies. The justice department also criminally charged Letitia James, the New York attorney general, last year on thin allegations of mortgage fraud. The case was dismissed for the same reason Comey’s earlier case was tossed.
