Lead prosecutor leaves DOJ’s case accusing James Comey of threatening Trump by posting “86 47” in seashells Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Petracca, who initiated the indictment against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly threatening President Trump via an Instagram post, has been removed from the case. The charges, which include threatening the president’s life, have been criticized by legal experts as politically motivated and a potential threat to First Amendment rights. Petracca’s departure follows a previous dismissal of charges against Comey for allegedly lying to Congress, which was also deemed improperly handled.

• Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Petracca is no longer the lead prosecutor in the case against former FBI Director James Comey.
• Comey was indicted on charges of threatening President Trump based on an Instagram post featuring seashells arranged as ‘86 47’.
• Legal experts and Comey’s team argue the charges are selective, vindictive, and politically motivated.
• The case is scheduled for trial in October, and Comey denies all wrongdoing.
• Petracca has been removed from at least three other cases recently, with no specified reasons.
• This case follows a previous indictment against Comey for lying to Congress, which was dismissed by a federal judge.