'No serious dispute' that Comey's seashell post could be read as a Trump threat, prosecutors say

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is defending its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, stating that there is no serious dispute that his social media post of seashells last year could be perceived as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors argue that the Instagram post, made days before Comey was set to release a novel titled "FDR Drive," could be interpreted as a call to violence.

The DOJ maintains that the photo of the seashells, claimed to have been found by Comey on a North Carolina beach, constitutes a threat against Trump. Comey deleted the post shortly after posting it, claiming he did not realize the numbers could suggest violence. However, prosecutors assert that there is reason to doubt Comey's account of finding the seashells, as they were located far from the actual beach and no evidence suggests anyone else arranged or photographed them.

The defense argues that Comey's lawyers have concealed information about the case, but the DOJ denies these allegations, stating that the decision to indict Comey was made by the U.S. attorney and not influenced by the president or the attorney general.