Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted by the justice department over an Instagram post featuring seashells that arranged to say '86 47'. The charges suggest a political motive behind the indictment.
In what appears to be the latest instance of the justice department using its power to target the president’s political enemies, Comey was charged over a picture he posted on Instagram last year while on vacation, showing seashells arranged to say “86 47”.
Seashells arranged to show the number 86 and 47. 86 can be used as shorthand for getting rid of something, and Trump is the 47th president.
Comey said he had not realized the numbers were associated with violence. Photograph: Instagram
The post was read as a threat to Donald Trump, the 47th president, as the number 86 can be used as shorthand for getting rid of something. He captioned the image: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”
Comey then deleted the post and apologized, saying he had not realized the numbers were associated with violence. “It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down,” he wrote on Instagram.
What has he been charged with? Two felonies: making a threat against the president, and transmitting that threat, via social media, across state lines.
What does the indictment say? That the seashell numbers were something a reasonable person “would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States”.
And how about Comey? He published a video of himself saying: “Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago. And this won’t be the end of it, but nothing has changed with me. I am still innocent. I am still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So, let’s go.” He continued: “It’s really important that all of us remember – this is not who we are as a country, this is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be, and the good news is we get closer every day to restoring those values. Keep the faith.”
Q&A
What are the charges against James Comey?
James Comey has been indicted on new criminal charges related to an Instagram post featuring seashells that formed the numbers '86 47'.
Why was Comey's Instagram post controversial?
The post was controversial because the numbers '86' and '47' are interpreted as references to violence and the fact that Trump is the 47th president.
What does '86' mean in this context?
'86' is often used as slang for getting rid of something, which has led to interpretations of the post as inciting violence.
How has the justice department been perceived in this case?
The justice department is perceived as using its power to target political enemies of the president, as suggested by the timing and nature of the charges against Comey.
In a speech that will be interpreted as an appeal to Donald Trump to return to the US’s traditional European alliances, Charles said: “America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more.”
His speech to Congress – the main event of his four-day visit to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence – was the first such royal address in 35 years.
What has Trump said about the visit? He has claimed that King Charles agrees with him that Iran should never be allowed nuclear weapons. But, as head of state, the king is above party politics and remains neutral.
How else is the 250th anniversary being marked? The US will issue limited-edition “America250” passports featuring Donald Trump’s image, in the latest of Trump’s efforts to illustrate US institutions and documents with his face.
Disneylandstarts using facial recognition
Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 2009.
Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 2009. Photograph: Chad McDermott/Alamy
Disneyland has equipped parts of its California adventure park with facial recognition technology, amid mounting concerns about privacy and surveillance.
At certain entrance lanes, a camera will capture images of visitors, which can be converted via biometric technology into unique numerical values, according to the Walt Disney Company’s website. Purportedly, this is to streamline re-entry and prevent fraud.
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Well Actually:How do I respond to my friends when they criticize their own weight and looks?
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