Multiple reports say former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by the Justice Department for a second time. The reports indicate the case relates to an Instagram post he made showing seashells arranged to spell '8647,' with the exact charges remaining unknown. The latest indictment marks the second time the former FBI director has been charged by the Justice Department.
Comey, who served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017, was fired by Trump in May 2017, an event that led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The relationship between the two men has been fraught ever since. Comey was previously indicted on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding, according to several news outlets.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, in announcing the earlier charges, stated that Comey obstructed a congressional investigation into the disclosure of sensitive information and made a false statement to Congress. Comey has vigorously denied the allegations, telling supporters he is innocent and wants a trial. He has also said there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump.
His attorney, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, issued a statement saying they deny all charges and look forward to vindicating him in court. In November 2025, a federal judge dismissed that indictment, ruling that prosecutor Lindsey Halligan had been unlawfully appointed.
The decision invalidated the charges at the district court level, though it did not insulate Comey from further legal action. The Justice Department quickly announced it would appeal the ruling, and in a court filing, it referred to a 'pending criminal investigation,' suggesting that new charges could be forthcoming. The appeals process has kept the original case in legal limbo, with Comey's attorneys seeking to have the dismissal upheld.
As a result, the legal uncertainty surrounding Comey persisted. The appeal remains unresolved, and the department has not clarified the scope of its investigation. It is not clear whether the investigation directly relates to the new indictment or encompasses other matters.
Comey's legal team has argued that the case is politically motivated, a charge the Justice Department denies. ' The post was interpreted by Trump allies as a veiled assassination threat, as the numbers are allegedly associated with violence. Former President Trump, a longtime critic of Comey, had previously called him 'one of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to' on social media.
put behind bars
com, Trump later indicated that he believed other officials might also face charges, though he did not specify names. Then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly stated that the Secret Service would investigate Comey over the post, elevating the matter to a federal security inquiry. The Secret Service investigation marked a significant escalation, as it involved a former FBI director and potential threats to a former president.
Comey deleted the Instagram post the same day, according to multiple reports. The swift deletion suggested that Comey recognized the post's potential to cause alarm. According to Daily Mail, Comey later told the outlet that he was unaware that the numbers were associated with violence.
The Secret Service subsequently conducted an hours-long interview with Comey regarding the post, multiple news organizations reported. The agency has not disclosed the outcome of that interview, and it is unknown whether it recommended any further action. The lack of disclosure has fueled speculation about the findings.
The Secret Service has not provided updates on the investigation, and it remains unclear if it is still active. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard added her voice to the criticism, telling Daily Mail that Comey should be 'put behind bars' and expressing deep concern for Trump's safety. Her statement reflected the intense animosity toward Comey from Trump's inner circle.
Multiple major outlets have reported that the new indictment relates to the Instagram post, but the exact charges are not known. The specific legal basis for the indictment has not been made public, and no court filings have been released. It is also unknown when the indictment was filed, and whether it is connected to the earlier false statements case or is an entirely new matter.
While multiple sources link the indictment to the Instagram post, the fact that the charges are unknown means it is not clear whether the prosecution is based on a potentially trivial social media post or on serious charges from Comey's FBI tenure. The Department of Justice has declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Legal analysts are closely watching the case, which has become a flashpoint in the broader political clash between Trump and his perceived enemies.
The case is likely to remain a focal point of partisan debate as the 2024 election approaches. If convicted, Comey could face prison time, though the lack of details makes any assessment speculative.