Court filing alleges Secret Service monitored James Comey illegally after Trump's claim of threat.
Key Points
- James Comey claims to be a victim of a vindictive prosecution.
- The surveillance was allegedly requested by a high-ranking official on May 2025.
- The Secret Service supposedly acted despite doubts on the action's legality.
- The number '8647' is viewed by some as a coded threat by Trump, being the 47th president.
- The court filing requests the indictment against Comey to be dismissed.
A new court filing alleges that the U.S. Secret Service conducted illegal surveillance on former FBI Director James Comey at the request of a high-level official. This was reportedly in response to President Donald Trump's assertion that Comey was threatening him by posting a photo of seashells forming '8647' on Instagram.
Lawyers for Comey contend the surveillance took place without a warrant, raising questions about the legality of the actions taken.
Allegations of Illegal Surveillance
The court filing claims that the surveillance was conducted without a warrant, a point which is said to have been acknowledged by a Secret Service supervisor. The operation reportedly took place as Comey and his wife traveled back to Washington, D.C., from North Carolina.
According to Comey's lawyers, the secretive operation included observation during a visit to the grave of their deceased son, casting the scrutiny in a personal light.
“Behind the scenes, the Secret Service was closely coordinating with the DOJ and the President himself.”Comey's lawyers stated in the filing
Coding of '8647' as a Threat
The Secret Service allegedly instituted a new policy to treat '8647' as coded language for a threat against the President. This phrase, lawyers argue, was used in social media as a veiled reference given Trump's position as the 47th president.
The term '86' is commonly known to mean removal or banning of an item, leading to speculation about its intended implication when coupled with '47'.
Interagency Coordination
The filing also suggests that the Secret Service was cooperating closely with the Department of Justice and overseeing directives from President Trump himself during this incident. Frequent updates were purportedly sent to Air Force One, keeping Trump informed ahead of any public statements.
This revealed a potentially close-knit surveillance and communications strategy involving high government levels.
Background
This case follows a recent history of legal challenges faced by James Comey since his tenure as FBI Director. Previously, a federal judge threw out an indictment against him regarding accusations of lying to Congress, highlighting procedural issues with the investigation.
The political climate remains charged around figures who have occupied high-profile positions under Trump's administration, leading to complex legal skirmishes.
What's Next
- The court will decide on the dismissal request of Comey's indictment.
- Further legal responses from the DOJ and Secret Service are anticipated.
- Observers expect more revelations as the case unfolds.
- Potential policy or procedural reviews within the Secret Service are possible.