Former FBI Director Indicted for Threatening Trump via Social Media Argues "8647 Is Free Speech"

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, who was indicted on charges of threatening U.S. President Donald Trump via social media, has requested the court to dismiss the indictment, CNN reported on the 27th (local time).

Comey's legal team submitted a motion for dismissal to the court on that day, arguing that the social media post in question falls under the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Last year, Comey posted a photo on social media showing seashells arranged in the shape of the numbers "86 47," accompanied by the caption, "Found a nice seashell arrangement while walking on the beach."

In response, federal prosecutors indicted Comey on charges including threatening the president.

This was based on the fact that the number "86" is used as slang in the U.S. restaurant industry to mean getting rid of a customer or an order.

Prosecutors argued that considering President Trump is the 47th U.S. president, "86 47" can be interpreted as a threat to "eliminate the 47th president."

However, Comey's defense countered, "For something to be legally recognized as a threat, there must be a serious expression of an intent to commit violence, and no reasonable person would take the post as a threat of violence against the president."

They further claimed, "Even if '86 47' is interpreted as an expression implying violence, it is merely political hyperbole and not an actual threat."

Comey is scheduled to appear in court in September.

Comey has a troubled history with President Trump.

He was appointed FBI Director in September 2013 during the administration of President Barack Obama, but failed to complete his 10-year term, being fired early in Trump's first term in 2017, and has since been a vocal critic of President Trump.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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