Legal experts and former officials are raising concerns about the second indictment of James Comey, accusing it of being baseless and politically motivated. The charges stem from a photo of seashells Comey posted on Instagram, which officials say was taken on a North Carolina beach and included the numbers 86 and 47, referencing the 86th and 47th U.S. presidents.
Prominent voices, including ABC’s Jonathan Karl and former federal prosecutor Andy McCarthy, criticized the charges. Karl described the indictment as embarrassing, while McCarthy called it a continuation of what he termed a lawfare campaign against political enemies. Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley told Fox News that the case was weak and unlikely to hold up in court.
Comey deleted the Instagram post after an uproar, asserting he did not intend to threaten anyone. He stated, “I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.”
The indictment comes amid broader concerns about the Justice Department’s role in pursuing political targets. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed suggestions that political motives influenced the case, emphasizing that threatening the president is unacceptable. President Donald Trump has publicly discussed the case, claiming it involves a mobster term for killing, and suggested his life may be in danger.
Trump has a history of aggressive rhetoric against Comey and others he perceives as enemies. The first indictment, issued last September, involved charges of leaking and lying to Congress, but Tuesday’s charges focus solely on the seashell photo. Critics argue the case lacks merit and reflect ongoing attempts by Trump to retaliate against political opponents, despite setbacks in court.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
