A federal grand jury in North Carolina has indicted former FBI Director James Comey over an Instagram post that some interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump. The post, which Comey later deleted, showed the numbers “86 47” written in seashells, a combination some claimed suggested harm to Trump. The Department of Justice renewed efforts to prosecute Comey after a previous indictment was dismissed. The case raises questions about free speech and what constitutes a “true threat,” as defined by the Supreme Court. Comey has denied any intent to incite violence, stating he was unaware of the numbers’ potential implications. This legal battle could have significant First Amendment implications, especially as the phrase “86 47” gains traction among Trump administration protesters.
QUESTION: How might this case influence the way people use social media to express political opinions?
James Comey indicted again, this time over seashell Instagram post
