- James Comey's lawyers have accused federal prosecutors of authorizing illegal surveillance and bringing charges against him for allegedly threatening President Donald Trump.
- Court filings reveal that a Justice Department official directed the Secret Service to unlawfully track Comey's cellphone after he posted "86 47" online in May 2025, including during a visit to his deceased son's grave.
- The charges are based on the interpretation of "86" as a mob term for killing someone, derived from testimony by former Gambino crime family underboss Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano.
- Comey's legal team is seeking dismissal of the charges, arguing they constitute a vindictive and selective prosecution driven by Trump's animosity towards him.
- This is the second indictment against Comey since Trump returned to the White House in 2025, with a previous charge of lying to Congress having been dismissed in November.
IN FULL
