A federal court in North Carolina has issued an arrest warrant for former FBI Director James Comey following a grand jury indictment returned earlier this week. The development marks a significant legal step in an ongoing case.
According to court filings, the indictment includes two counts related to an alleged threat against former President Donald Trump. The charges stem from a social media post shared in May 2025.
Prosecutors point to an Instagram image posted by Comey that showed seashells arranged to form the numbers “86 47.” Authorities interpreted the message as potentially threatening in nature.
Officials have stated that the number “86” is sometimes used as slang meaning to remove or eliminate. Combined with “47,” investigators concluded the post could be interpreted as referencing the 47th president.
Comey later deleted the post and addressed the situation publicly. He stated that he viewed the image as a political message rather than a call to violence.
In his response, Comey said he was not aware that the numbers might be interpreted in a harmful way. He also emphasized that he opposes violence and removed the post after concerns were raised.
The indictment alleges that Comey “knowingly and willfully” made a threat to harm the president. It also includes a charge related to transmitting a threat through interstate communication.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the process, explaining that grand juries are responsible for issuing indictments that can lead to arrest warrants.
Blanche clarified that once a grand jury returns an indictment, the court typically issues either an arrest warrant or a summons. This step is part of standard federal legal procedure.
An arrest warrant directs law enforcement to take a defendant into custody and bring them before the court. A summons, on the other hand, allows the individual to appear voluntarily at a scheduled time.
The decision between these options depends on factors such as the seriousness of the charges and potential risks. In this case, the court chose to issue an arrest warrant.
It is not yet clear whether Comey will be taken into custody immediately or allowed to arrange a voluntary surrender. Federal warrants are generally executed by agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service.
During a press appearance, FBI Director Kash Patel noted that the investigation had been ongoing for several months before charges were filed.
This case follows a previous legal matter involving Comey in 2025. That earlier case was dismissed by a federal judge due to issues related to the appointment of a prosecutor.
If convicted on the current charges, Comey could face significant legal penalties under federal law. The case is expected to proceed through the court system as further details emerge.