Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was pressed Sunday on the Justice Department’s (DOJ) indictment of former FBI Director James Comey – based largely on a photo of seashells – and his response left several critics stunned, many of whom argued he had undercut his own case.
Comey was indicted last week on two felony counts, including for threats against the president. The charges stem from a photo Comey published on Instagram that showed seashells arranged to read “86 47,” a term some conservatives have interpreted as a threat on President Donald Trump’s life.
The reference to “47” is a likely reference to Trump as the 47th president of the United States, and “86,” a reference to the informal term used to eject someone from a bar or restaurant.
“The image is part of what led to this indictment,” said NBC’s Kristen Welker, hosting Blanche Sunday on the network’s “Meet the Press.”
“It is worth noting that on Amazon, there are dozens of products with the same terminology, “86 47,” being sold and purchased right now. Should individuals selling or buying “86 47” merchandise be concerned that they’re going to be prosecuted by the DOJ?”
Blanche dismissed the question, insisting that the use of the term by itself would not result in criminal indictments.
“Of course not, that’s posted constantly, that phrase is used constantly, there are constantly men and women who choose to make threatening statements against President Trump – everyone of those statements do not result in indictments, of course,” Blanche said.
Welker pressed Blanche further, asking him to clarify whether or not “the seashells themselves” were “at the root of this indictment,” as has been previously suggested by the DOJ.
“Just to be very clear, you’re suggesting the seashells themselves are not at the root of this indictment?” Welker asked.
“No, I am suggesting that every single case depends on the investigation that’s done,” Blanche responded. “Of course the seashells are part of that case – that’s what the public sees.”
Critics quickly pounced on Blanche for downplaying the phrase “86 47,” despite the DOJ having relied heavily on it in its indictment of Comey.
“Oh. It’s almost like it’s a perfectly normal phrase,” wrote Hemant Mehta, an author and podcast host, writing to his more than 104,000 followers in a social media post on X.
“Comey’s defense team needs to play this in court to demonstrate vindictive prosecution,” wrote X user “Mz. Cabibi,” a political commentator and self-described veteran. “Case will be thrown out. Another humiliating defeat is imminent.”
And prominent activist and writer Molly Jong-Fast simply wrote “Ummmmmmmmm” in response to Blanche’s comments in a social media post on X to her nearly 1 million followers.
Ummmmmmmmm https://t.co/zcZrH2kk56 — Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) May 3, 2026
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