James Comey surrenders to police after being accused of chilling ‘threat’ on Trump’s life as he declares: ‘I’m innocent’
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Former FBI boss James Comey surrendered to law enforcement on Wednesday, accused of threatening Donald Trump’s life in an Instagram post.
Comey surrendered at the federal courthouse in the Eastern District of Virginia on Wednesday and was taken into custody ahead of his first hearing.
He faces two federal charges: threatening the president and disseminating threats in interstate commerce.
Comey declared his innocence in a video message published on Substack. “I’m still innocent, I’m still not afraid, and I still believe in an independent federal judiciary, so let’s go,” he said.
Comey entered and exited the Alexandria courthouse through the side door reserved for defendants, wore a dark suit and remained silent throughout the hearing.
Judge William Fitzpatrick allowed Comey to leave without imposing conditions on his release. The former FBI director did not enter a plea Wednesday. Comey’s lawyers plan to file briefs accusing the Justice Department of selectively and vindictively prosecuting him at the President’s direction.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who announced the charges, denied that Trump instructed him to file the case.
His indictment relates to an Instagram post Comey made last May that included seashells arranged in the shape of ‘8647’, which Trump’s critics embraced and described as a call for the President and his allies to assassinate him.
Comey was seen leaving the Virginia courthouse in the back of a car
Comey entered and exited the courthouse through the side door reserved for the defendants, wore a dark suit and remained silent throughout the hearing.
Comey surrendered at the federal courthouse in the Eastern District of Virginia on Wednesday and was taken into custody ahead of his first hearing.
He faces two federal charges: threatening the president and disseminating threats in interstate commerce.
Comey was taken to the courthouse with his family
The number 86 is slang for eliminating or getting rid of something, but it can also mean to kill. Trump is the 47th President.
Comey shared the photo with the following caption: ‘Awesome seashell formation on my beach walk.’ He later deleted the post the same day and apologized.
Trump’s allies claimed that the post called for Trump’s assassination. Then-homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said the Secret Service would investigate the former FBI director.
The Department of Justice said Comey “knowingly and willfully” made threats against the President’s life and allegedly conveyed the threats via social media.
‘You cannot threaten to kill the President of the United States. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a news conference Tuesday.
