Comey back in the headlines as a new indictment over a seashell post fuels DOJ worries—ex-FBI chief who led the bureau 2013–17.
On April 2, 2026, President Donald Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi after 14 months, citing frustrations over her handling of Jeffrey Epstein files and failed prosecutions of his political opponents. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, was named acting attorney general. Bondi will transition to a private sector role.
The Justice Department has indicted James Comey in North Carolina on threats-related charges tied to a seashell photo marked “86 47.” Prosecutors must prove intent to threaten a president, a high bar given Comey’s public statements that he did not intend violence. The case is the second criminal matter involving Comey and the Trump administration’s pursuit of political opponents.
Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in North Carolina over a May 2025 Instagram photo showing seashells arranged as "86 47," which prosecutors say a reasonable recipient would interpret as a threat to President Trump; Comey has surrendered, pleaded innocent and vowed to fight the charges.
The royal couple have used their New York stop to honor 9/11 victims, meet families, and participate in cultural and economic engagements. Tensions over the Iran war and private interactions with New York officials are shaping the visit.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly transmitting a threat against President Trump through a social media post showing seashells arranged to read “86 47.” The indictment marks a second case against Comey and comes amid broader discourse about political targeting within the DOJ and responses from Trump allies and critics.
The investigation into former CIA director John Brennan has gained momentum, with FBI agents interviewing current and former CIA officers about Brennan’s role in producing a 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that referenced the Steele dossier. Prosecutors are examining whether Brennan gave false testimony to Congress and how the dossier influenced the report.
A review of fresh court actions shows renewed grand jury activity and ongoing prosecutions across several cases. In Chicago, prosecutors have faced questions about how they handled a grand jury while pursuing charges against protesters; in Arizona, a separate case involving fake electors awaits a grand jury decision; and other venues see judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers navigating new rulings and delays as cases adapt to evolving legal challenges.
Former national security adviser John Bolton has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to illegally retaining sensitive national security documents and will pay a fine exceeding $2 million, according to CNN. He is set for a Maryland rearraignment on June 26. The development follows an 2025 indictment on 18 counts related to mishandling classified material.
The New York Times, The Guardian, CNBC, Al Jazeera and other outlets report that Donald Trump has nominated Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, moving from acting to permanent head of the Justice Department. The nomination faces a Senate confirmation battle amid scrutiny of Blanche’s ties to the Epstein files, the $1.8 billion anti-weaponisation fund and past actions at the DOJ.
The Guardian, Independent, and NY Post report that Donald Trump has nominated Todd Blanche to serve permanently as attorney general. Blanche, who has been acting AG since April, would require Senate confirmation. Reports describe his role in pursuing cases against Trump’s rivals and in high-profile DOJ actions, including a controversial fund related to Trump allies that was later axed.
Vandalism has spread across the grass near the World War II Memorial, with the marking 8647 appearing in brown grass. Park Police and National Guard have responded; grass samples have been collected and the investigation is ongoing. The slogan 8647 is tied to anti-Trump sentiment and is under review by authorities.
U.S. forces have carried out an airstrike that has killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, U.S. and Venezuelan officials have said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump have said the operation targeted a compound in Bolívar state earlier this week and involved coordination with Venezuelan security forces.
Former national security adviser John Bolton has pleaded guilty in a Maryland federal court to illegally retaining classified information. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 28, with a maximum five-year sentence and a $2.25 million fine. He has agreed to debriefing, community service, and forfeiture of his federal pension.
Trump has turned the 250th anniversary celebrations into a partisan spectacle, shifting control from a bipartisan commission to Freedom 250 and staging a National Mall rally amid cancellations by artists and concerns over funding and political tone. The events blur official commemorations with campaign-style politics as July 4 approaches.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said federal agents have been contacting friends, former staff and donors tied to him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and has accused President Donald Trump of ordering a politically motivated investigation as he considers a 2028 presidential run. Multiple outlets report the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California is handling separate probes that began with local whistleblower tips and that include inquiries into the first partner’s taxes and the conduct of former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who has pleaded guilty to several federal charges.