Prosecuting James Comey for social media posts may be fruitless, legal and security experts say
CNN
The director of US intelligence voiced concern for President Donald Trump’s life after former FBI Director James Comey posted a picture of seashells writing out four numbers. The Secret Service is investigating. And the FBI is ready to provide support.
The director of US intelligence voiced concern for President Donald Trump’s life after former FBI Director James Comey posted a picture of seashells writing out four numbers. The Secret Service is investigating. And the FBI is ready to provide support. But the end result could be little more than a stern warning for Comey, who infamously oversaw the agency during two separate and fruitless investigations into Trump and Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign. Legally speaking, prosecuting Comey may be fruitless as any legal action would stand little chance, especially after a recent Supreme Court decision regarding threats and among a judiciary that has expanded free speech rights in recent years, legal experts say. One source with knowledge of the Secret Service investigation told CNN that the investigation likely “ends” with Comey receiving a stern talking-to from law enforcement. On Thursday, the former FBI head posted a photo of the numbers “86 47” spelled out by shells on a beach he said he came across. Comey quickly took down the post after Republicans and Trump allies said he was calling for the president’s assassination. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence,” Comey said of the number “86,” which can refer to something being tossed away or taken out. The corresponding “47” matches Trump’s current term in office as the 47th president. “It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
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