Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche dropped a bombshell on Sunday, declaring that the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey is far more complex than the Instagram post that sparked it.
“This isn’t merely about a single Instagram post,” Blanche told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” “It’s about a mountain of evidence collected over nearly a year. That evidence was laid out for the grand jury.”
While he couldn’t spill the beans on the specifics, Blanche promised, “At the trial — a public trial that will be open to everyone — the nation will see exactly what the government has against Mr. Comey.”
Last week, Comey found himself in hot water after posting a photo of seashells arranged to read “86 47,” leading to charges that he threatened the president's life.
When asked if he felt threatened by Comey’s post, President Trump responded, “Probably.” He added, “If anyone knows anything about crime, they know 86 — it’s mob lingo for kill him.”
However, restaurant workers chimed in, telling NBC News that “86” is just everyday slang, with no ties to violence or murder.
Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina echoed this skepticism, questioning whether “86” is even a violent term. “If this whole case hinges on a picture in the sand of a North Carolina beach, it makes no sense to me,” he stated on CNN.
Blanche insisted that the Justice Department has “evidence of all sorts” against Comey, emphasizing that the indictment encompasses more than just the infamous “86 47” phrase, which has become a viral sensation online.
“That phrase is everywhere. It’s used constantly. There are countless individuals making threats against President Trump,” Blanche explained to moderator Kristen Welker. “Not every statement leads to an indictment. There are facts and circumstances that must be investigated, and we’ve charged numerous individuals this year for threatening the president and others.”
Later on “Meet the Press,” Senator Adam Schiff criticized Blanche’s defense of the indictment, pointing out that “86 47” merchandise is widely available online.
“The only thing that sets this case apart from people buying stuff on Amazon is that James Comey is a political rival of the president,” Schiff argued. “It’s clear that Todd Blanche wants to keep his job.”
Schiff also slammed the focus on this case, stating, “The fact that we’re wasting time on a seashells case while violent crime cases go unaddressed means the American public suffers.”
Sources say Trump was pleased with Blanche’s ability to secure an indictment against Comey, especially after firing Attorney General Pam Bondi last month.
Previously, prosecutors sought criminal indictments against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James — who has been at odds with Trump — but those cases were dismissed by a federal judge due to issues with the prosecutor’s appointment.
On Sunday, Blanche clarified that the earlier dismissed indictment is unrelated to this case, likening comparisons to “apples and oranges.”
“The judge didn’t dismiss those cases based on any factual wrongdoing by President Trump,” he stated. “It was purely procedural. Those cases are under appeal; we’ll see how it unfolds.”
Comey is also facing scrutiny in a broader investigation led by the Trump administration regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
