Comey’s ‘86 47’ Shells Prompt Fresh Trump Indictment Attempt

Context In 2025 the former FBI director shared an Instagram image of shells arranged to read “86 47.” The numbers carry layered meaning: “86” is restaurant slang for removing an item, while “47” references Trump’s claim as the nation’s 47th president. The post arrived amid a long‑standing feud that began when Trump dismissed Comey as FBI director in 2017.

Key Facts - Comey’s 2025 Instagram post displayed the numbers 86 and 47 formed by seashells. - Trump fired Comey in 2017 and, two years later, removed Comey’s prosecutor daughter from her role. - A prior indictment of Comey filed by the administration was dismissed by a Virginia court, leading to the removal of Trump’s interim U.S. attorney for the state. - Federal officials in Trump’s second term have repeatedly pursued legal actions against Comey, using the power of the Justice Department to apply pressure.

What It Means The shell image functions as a symbolic “86” – a signal to eliminate Comey from the political arena – while the “47” tag reasserts Trump’s self‑styled presidential identity. By reviving an indictment effort, the administration signals that it will not abandon legal tactics despite the earlier dismissal. The Virginia case, which resulted in the ouster of the interim U.S. attorney, illustrates the high stakes and internal discord such prosecutions generate.

The renewed attempt faces the same procedural hurdles that doomed the first case: questions about jurisdiction, evidentiary standards, and potential political interference. Legal analysts note that a second dismissal would further erode confidence in the Justice Department’s independence and could trigger congressional oversight.

Watch for filings in the coming weeks that will reveal whether the new indictment proceeds, and monitor any response from the courts that could reshape the balance between executive authority and prosecutorial discretion.