In a powerful and defiant response, former FBI Director James Comey addressed the recent federal indictment against him on Tuesday. The charges allege that he threatened the life of President Trump. Comey, however, maintains his innocence and is not backing down.

Comey took to his Substack platform to issue a video statement, where he expressed frustration over the latest legal action. He pointed out that after a previous indictment was dismissed on procedural grounds, the Justice Department under Trump’s administration had “returned with a new angle.” The current allegations stem from a photograph of seashells on a North Carolina beach, posted a year ago.

In his statement, Comey remained resolute: “This won’t be the last attempt, but my stance remains unchanged. I am innocent, unafraid, and continue to have faith in the independence of the federal judiciary. Let’s proceed.”

Comey urged Americans to remember the nation’s core values: “This is not representative of who we are as a country or how the Department of Justice should operate. The positive news is that each day brings us closer to reinstating these principles. Keep the faith.”

Earlier in the day, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the new charges related to a controversial Instagram post dated May 15, 2025. The image depicted seashells arranged on a beach to display the numbers “86 47.” Blanche stated at a press conference, “Threatening the life of the president of the United States will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice.”

“Threatening the life of the president of the United States will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” Blanche said. 

The indictment, handed up in the Eastern District of North Carolina, lists one count for “knowingly and willfully making a threat to take the life of and to inflict bodily harm upon the president of the United States.”

Comey’s lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, echoed the former FBI director in a statement vowing to fight the charges. 

“Mr. Comey vigorously denies the charges contained in the indictment filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina,” Fitzgerald said. 

“We will contest these charges in the courtroom and look forward to vindicating Mr. Comey and the First Amendment,” he added. 

Fitzgerald defended Comey when he was initially indicted last September, on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice. 

The case was thrown out by a federal judge on the grounds that then-interim US Attorney Lindsey Halligan was improperly appointed to her position and “had no lawful authority” to secure the indictment.

Comey also took to Substack shortly after the charges were unsealed in last year’s indictment, saying, “My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way.”