Federal Judge Assigned to James Comey Case as Justice Department Pursues Multiple Investigations
A federal judge has been assigned to oversee the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey following a grand jury indictment returned by the Justice Department in late April. U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan of the Eastern District of North Carolina, who was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in 2003, will preside over the proceedings.
The indictment alleges that Comey violated federal law through a 2025 Instagram post featuring an image of seashells arranged to display the numbers “86 47.” Prosecutors contend the post constituted a threat against President Donald Trump, while Comey has denied any criminal intent and maintains that the image was misinterpreted. He has pleaded not guilty and is expected to challenge the charges in court.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated that the indictment followed a year-long investigation involving career prosecutors, FBI agents, and Secret Service personnel. Blanche said the decision to seek charges was based on evidence presented to a federal grand jury and not solely on the social media post itself, though he declined to discuss additional evidence because of grand jury secrecy rules.
Separately, multiple news outlets have reported that federal prosecutors are examining Comey’s handling of memoranda documenting conversations with President Trump during his time as FBI director. According to those reports, investigators are reviewing whether the disclosure of those memos to a confidant violated federal law. No charges have been announced in that matter, and the Justice Department has not publicly confirmed whether an indictment will be sought.
The legal proceedings represent one of several matters involving the former FBI director. As the cases move forward, prosecutors will bear the burden of proving the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, while Comey remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
