James Comey Surrenders To Federal Authorities Over Alleged Threat Against President Trump

Former James Comey turned himself in to federal authorities Wednesday after being indicted on charges related to an alleged threat against President Donald Trump.

Comey, 65, surrendered at a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, ahead of his initial court appearance. The charges stem from a May 2025 Instagram post showing seashells arranged to form the numbers “86 47,” which prosecutors argue constituted a threat against the 47th president.

A grand jury in North Carolina indicted Comey on two counts, including making a threat against the president and transmitting that threat across state lines. An arrest warrant had been issued prior to his surrender.

President Trump weighed in on the controversy, arguing the phrase carried violent meaning. He criticized Comey’s conduct and said rhetoric like this creates broader risks for public officials.

Comey has denied the allegations, maintaining that he did not intend the post as a threat. In past remarks, he said he viewed the image as harmless and did not anticipate the interpretation that followed.

His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said Comey will contest the charges and defend himself in court, citing First Amendment protections.

This marks the second recent legal challenge for Comey. A prior case involving alleged false statements to Congress was dismissed by a federal judge, who ruled that the prosecutor in that matter lacked proper authority to bring the charges.

Comey, who led the FBI until 2017, has remained a prominent public figure and critic of Trump since his dismissal during the early months of the administration.

The case now moves forward in federal court, where prosecutors will seek to prove intent behind the social media post as Comey prepares his defense.