'I am not afraid': Former FBI Director James Comey stands his ground following DOJ indictment

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey claimed innocence after the Department of Justice indicted him on charges of making threats to harm President Trump. The indictment follows on the heels of a post of seashells depicting "86 47" that Comey made about a year ago.

Comey, in a Substack clip, said he was unafraid of intimidation tactics while reiterating his faith in the independence of the federal judiciary. "But it's really important that all of us remember this is not who we are as a country, this is not how the Department is supposed to be," he averred.

The indictment includes two counts, alleging that Comey "knowingly and willfully" made a threat to take the life of the President, and to inflict bodily harm. It argues that the image on Instagram can be interpreted as a serious expression of an intent to harm Trump. Moreover, it contends that Comey was aware that his communication threatened violence.

Comey assumed that the numbers were a political message, not an incitement to violence, according to Associated Press. Comey deleted the post and stated that he was not aware of the numbers being associated with violence, the report added.

A cursory glance at Merriam-Webster reveals that the term "86" dates back to the 1930s and refers to an item at a soda counter being sold out. The term broadened beyond the soda counter over the years and is used across the hospitality industry when an item is sold out or to refuse service to someone too drunk. It's also informally used to mean "cancel" or "get rid of."

The dictionary added a disclaimer: "Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of 'to kill.' We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use."

The criminal case is the second in months against Comey, who had presided over the early months of an investigation into whether there was any Russian interference in the 2016 elections. A federal judge dismissed the earlier case after concluding that the Justice Department had illegally appointed the prosecutor.

The case also reflects the Trump administration's priorities as it seeks to prosecute political opponents relentlessly. For instance, the Justice Department, under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, is also pursuing a criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan, who has denied any wrongdoing.