Why ‘8647’ landed ex-FBI chief Comey in Trump’s crosshairs

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on federal charges after posting an image of seashells arranged to spell “8647” on Instagram, in a case that has raised concerns about the use of the United States justice system as a form of political retaliation. The charges were announced on Tuesday, with prosecutors accusing Comey of threatening US President Donald Trump and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. Recommended Stories list of 4 items end of list The case comes amid heightened political tensions in Washington after an armed suspect managed to get close to a ballroom in the hotel where Trump was attending the White House Correspondents’ Association gala dinner on Saturday evening. Trump has long called for prosecuting his political opponents and has set his sights, in particular, on Comey, who oversaw the early days of an investigation into whether Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign had coordinated with Russia. Trump allies have blamed Democrats for fuelling hostility against the president through the use of heated political rhetoric. What are the charges? A federal grand jury has indicted Comey in the US state of North Carolina. He is accused of knowingly threatening the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce by posting the “8647” image on the social media platform Instagram in May last year. Tuesday’s indictment came after an earlier Department of Justice criminal case against Comey fell apart last year. …