Senator Tillis and Acting AG Blanche comment on James Comey indictment over '86 47' Instagram post
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina after posting an Instagram image of seashells arranged as '86 47' in May 2025. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said the prosecution 'makes no sense' if based solely on the image, arguing the term '86' has restaurant industry roots rather than violent connotations. Acting Attorney General Blanche stated the case involves more than just the Instagram post, though he declined to describe the additional evidence.
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Divergence score
This event sits in the top 7% of divergence this week. 7 outlets covered it, splitting into 7 framing camps across 3 bias groups.
7 camps
3 bias groups
The spectrum · how 7 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Washington Examiner
Breitbart
The Hill
CNN
Politico
New York Times
NY Post
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
The split, in one line
Some outlets focus on Tillis breakin...
How each outlet covered it
Tillis says '86' has roots in restaurant industry after Comey indicted for alleged Trump post
Tillis on Comey Indictment: No Evidence '86' Is Used as a Call for Violence
Prosecution of Comey 'makes no sense:' Tillis
Tillis: If the case against Comey is based on a picture in the sand, it 'makes no sense to me.'
Tillis calls Comey 'biggest disappointment' but stands against 8647 indictment
Blanche Says Others Who Post '86 47' Message Won't Be Charged Like Comey
James Comey's indictment for threats against Trump based on more than just '86 47′ Instagram post, acting AG Blanche says
Fact ledger · what actually happened, cross-checked