Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Tuesday for a second time over a social media post that officials claim constituted a threat against President Donald Trump. The specific charges remain undisclosed.
This marks the second criminal case brought by the Justice Department against Comey, a known adversary of Trump. Comey stated he interpreted the seashell arrangement, reading "86 47," as a political message, not a call to violence.
The former FBI Director had been interviewed by the Secret Service in May after Trump administration officials alleged he was advocating for Trump's assassination. Comey deleted the post, stating he did not realize the numbers could be associated with violence and that he opposes it.
Merriam-Webster defines "86" as slang for "to throw out" or "to get rid of," with a less common, more recent extension meaning "to kill." Trump asserted in a Fox News interview that Comey understood the post's violent implication, stating, "A child knows what that meant."
The Justice Department's pursuit of this new case, following a dismissed prior indictment, is likely to fuel defense arguments of politically motivated targeting against Comey. Comey previously oversaw an early investigation into alleged Russian interference in Trump's 2016 campaign.
Comey was initially indicted in September on charges of lying to and obstructing Congress related to testimony about providing inside information to a journalist. That case was dismissed after the prosecutor was found to be illegally appointed.
Comey, appointed by President Obama, served as FBI Director when Trump took office. Their relationship soured early, notably when Comey resisted a request for personal loyalty. Trump fired Comey in May 2017 amid the Russia investigation.