IRAN 'CHOKING LIKE A STUFFED PIG' AS BLOCKADE CONTINUES
WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 30, 2026
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated Wednesday that President Donald Trump did not direct him to pursue an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, and emphasized that the decision was not made to audition for a permanent role leading the Department of Justice.
In an interview on “CBS Mornings,” Blanche rejected claims that the case against Comey was politically motivated. He stressed that the charges resulted from a lengthy investigation and a grand jury’s independent decision, not any instructions from the White House.
“Of course not. Absolutely, positively not,” Blanche said when asked whether Trump had any involvement in the indictment.
The case centers on a social media post by Comey that featured seashells arranged to spell “86 47.” Prosecutors argue the phrase could reasonably be interpreted as a threat against Trump, the 47th president. The term “86” is commonly understood as slang for eliminating or removing something.
Blanche described the indictment as the outcome of nearly a yearlong investigation involving the FBI and Secret Service. He highlighted the seriousness of threats against a sitting president and pushed back against efforts to minimize the case.
“If anybody in this country thinks, especially what happened over the past couple years with respect to President Trump, that it is OK for anybody to threaten the president of the United States ... and then have the media or others say, ‘Well that’s not serious,’ then we have a bigger problem than I even imagined in this country,” Blanche said.
Comey has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the post carried no political or violent intent. He has since deleted the image and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
The indictment has sparked debate, with some critics questioning whether similar rhetoric from other political figures has been treated differently in the past. Blanche dismissed those comparisons, stating that each case is evaluated based on its own evidence and investigative findings.
“That’s not how a grand jury does its work,” he said, noting that decisions are based on evidence gathered over time, not isolated incidents.
Blanche also addressed speculation that handling the high-profile case could improve his chances of being nominated as permanent attorney general. He rejected the idea outright.
“I don’t even know what that means,” he said. “We work hard every single day. The Department of Justice returns over a hundred indictments across this country every single day making this country safe. And so this narrative, this idea out there that somehow I’m auditioning, I’ve worked for, with President Trump for many, many years. I don’t audition for this job. I’ve been the deputy attorney general for over a year, OK. This is not an audition.”
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The case is moving forward, with Comey expected to face trial on two counts related to making threats against the president. Supporters of the administration argue the prosecution reflects a commitment to holding public figures accountable for rhetoric targeting elected officials. They contend that failing to act would set a dangerous precedent at a time when threats against political leaders are rising.
The developments come amid broader discussions about political discourse and accountability. No further details on the timing of Comey’s trial have been released.
