Former FBI director James Comey has been charged with allegedly disclosing national defense information, the third criminal case brought against the outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump.
Comey has denied threatening the president’s life. “I’m still innocent. I’m still not afraid of these people, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.”
Comey was charged in September 2025 with making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding in what was widely seen as retribution by the Republican president against a political opponent.
The Trump administration’s Justice Department has claimed that “86 47” constitutes a threat to the president — “86” meaning to kill and “47” a reference to Trump being the 47th president. “They’re back again,” Comey said in a video posted on his Substack in response to the latest charges. “It would almost be funny if it weren’t such an appalling abuse of the Department of Justice,” he said.
In a statement to US media, Comey’s attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, said the charges in the latest case had been investigated by prosecutors during the first Trump administration and “the Government determined that no charges should be brought against anyone. “Mr Comey steadfastly maintains his innocence,” Fitzgerald said.
