INTERNACIONAL
Legal experts warn Comey ‘86 47’ indictment faces First Amendment hurdles
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Legal questions are emerging over whether charges against former FBI Director James Comey would withstand a First Amendment challenge as he is indicted for a social media post allegedly tied to threats against President Donald Trump.
Comey faced charges Tuesday under 18 U.S.C. § 871, which criminalizes threats against the president, and 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), which covers interstate communications containing threats to harm others.
George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley told Fox News Digital just before the indictment was released that, if the case is based solely on the widely circulated image posted by Comey, it could face steep constitutional hurdles.
«If Comey is charged for the shell picture, it would face a monumental challenge under the First Amendment,» Turley said. «In my view, the image itself is clearly protected speech. Absent some other unknown facts or elements, it would be unlikely to survive a threshold constitutional challenge.»
JAMES COMEY INDICTED AGAIN IN NEW JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PROBE
Both statutes require prosecutors to prove not only that a statement constituted a «true threat,» but that it was made knowingly and with intent, standards that legal analysts say could prove difficult to meet based on publicly available information.
The indictment was filed Tuesday in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where Comey allegedly posted the image of seashells forming the numbers «86 47» during a beach walk.
Others pushed back on the idea that the case raises significant First Amendment concerns, arguing that threats against a sitting president fall squarely outside protected speech.
«The third assassination attempt against President Trump on Saturday made this crystal clear: The Justice Department must prosecute those who threaten to assassinate the president,» said Mike Davis, founder of the Article III Project.
«No one has a First Amendment right to do this. No one is above the law, especially not a former director of the FBI who should know better. A jury of James Comey’s peers will decide his fate.»
That argument comes amid heightened concerns about threats against Trump after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. A suspect has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president.
Prosecutors allege that the post would be interpreted by a «reasonable recipient familiar with the circumstances» as a serious expression of intent to harm the president, signaling they intend to rely heavily on context surrounding the message rather than explicit language alone.
The U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, W. Ellis Boyle, will oversee the case. Boyle was appointed in 2025 and sworn in by his father, a longtime federal judge in the district, after being selected for the role by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Legal questions are emerging over whether expected charges against former FBI Director James Comey would withstand a First Amendment challenge. (Pete Marovich/Bloomberg)
The indictment marks the second time Comey has been charged during the second Trump administration.
In 2025, he was indicted on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding tied to his testimony in the FBI’s Russia probe. That case was later dismissed after a federal judge ruled the prosecutor in the case had been unlawfully appointed.
Comey, who served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017, has long been a polarizing figure in U.S. politics, drawing criticism from both parties over his handling of the Clinton email investigation and the FBI’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential links between Trump’s campaign and Moscow.
He was fired by Trump in 2017 amid escalating tensions tied in part to the Russia investigation.
SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS AS RESURFACED AG JAMES POSTS COME BACK TO HAUNT HER: ‘NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW’
The expected charges stem from a social media post in which Comey shared an image of seashells arranged to form the numbers «86 47,» which some critics interpreted as a coded threat against Trump. The post drew swift backlash and prompted an investigation.
James Comey posted a photo on Instagram showing him standing on a beach. (Fox News)
Former FBI Director James Comey appears in a courtroom sketch during his arraignment in Virginia Oct. 8, 2025. (Dana Verkouteren/Unknown)
Comey later said he did not intend the image to be interpreted as a call for violence.
«I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.»
His explanation could complicate prosecutors’ efforts to establish intent, a key element required under both statutes.
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Comey’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
first amendment, fbi, donald trump, james comey, pam bondi, in court
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FIRST ON FOX: Florida Republican Sen. Ashley Moody introduced a bill targeting the Washington, D.C. public school system in a push to prioritize patriotism in the nation’s capital, Fox News Digital has learned.
The PLEDGE Act proposal would require teachers to feature the American Flag in their classrooms, and for administrators to provide students the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day.
«Currently, there are schools in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, that do not display our flag or set aside time for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but they do teach them to be activists,» claims the press release shared with Fox News Digital.
FAR-LEFT ACTIVIST CONFERENCE AT TEACHERS UNION HQ RAISES CLASSROOM CONCERNS
Activists burn a U.S. flag at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House on July 4, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
In a city where Pride flags and progressive causes are prominently displayed across the district, some conservatives say patriotic symbols like the American flag have taken a back seat in schools — fueling concerns about how civic values are being taught to the next generations of Americans.
«Radicals want to teach kids to be ashamed of the United States of America and how to be activists instead. We should be teaching kids why America is worth loving, and most importantly, the principles and values that make America worth defending,» said Moody in the release.
Over 40 states have varying Pledge requirements in their schools — but not in the nation’s capital.
«My PLEDGE Act helps restore pride in our nation by reminding students every day of the freedom, responsibilities, and blessings that come with being an American, and the sacrifices made for our flag and everything it represents,» Moody said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
BERNIE SANDERS, DSA REVEAL DEMANDS FOR DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALISTS SWEEP NEW YORK ELECTIONS
Protestors repaint «Defund the Police» on Black Lives Matter Plaza on the final night of the Republican National Convention, Aug. 27, 2020. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The bill comes amid a mayoral race in D.C., where socialist candidate Janeese Lewis George is the frontrunner. This continues a trend in the nationwide rise of the far-left Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) movement, which often spouts anti-American rhetoric.
The DSA platform, which aims to appeal to younger voters, wants to replace free-market capitalism with social ownership. It also pushes for major constitutional changes, like abolishing the Electoral College and expanding voting rights for noncitizens.
Younger Americans are significantly less likely to express strong national pride than older generations, with just 41% of Generation Z saying they are extremely or very proud to be American, according to a June 2025 Gallup poll.
The same poll says 58% of U.S. adults say they are «extremely» or «very» proud to be American, the lowest level the pollsters have recorded since it began asking the question in 2001.
DEMS PUT ON BLAST OVER POLL THAT SHOWS RECORD-LOW PATRIOTISM IN US: ‘TEAR OUR SOCIETY APART’
The DC Public School (DCPS) curriculum calls for students to learn more progressive politics, from studying Harvey Milk to learning how the LGBTQ+ community has shaped and defined the Washington, D.C., community.
For example, fifth-grade social studies standards in the district require students to analyze the rise of queer culture during the Black Renaissance and also require students to compare the experiences of LGBTQ+ service members returning to the U.S. after World War II, according to their 2023 Social Study Standards.
Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., leaves the Senate floor after a vote in the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 21, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
During President Donald Trump’s second term, his administration restored patriotic symbols to the nation’s capital by installing two large American flags on the White House grounds and removing the «Black Lives Matter» street mural on the plaza just blocks from the executive residence.
Washington, D.C., has long been a focal point for political demonstrations and protests. Trump, in his second term, deployed the National Guard to help bolster safety in the city.
Fox News Digital reached out to DCPS for comment.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION:
patriotism, us protests, education, politics, washington dc, culture opinion
INTERNACIONAL
Trump puso en duda la licencia para que Ucrania produzca misiles Patriot y afirmó que Estados Unidos aún estudia esa posibilidad
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, afirmó que todavía no decidió si Washington concederá a Ucrania una licencia para producir misiles Patriot, pese a que días antes Volodimir Zelensky aseguró que ambos mandatarios acordaron avanzar en esa dirección durante su reunión en la Casa Blanca.
En una entrevista telefónica con el Financial Times, Trump sostuvo que la posibilidad permanece bajo análisis y evitó confirmar que Estados Unidos autorizará la fabricación de esos interceptores en territorio ucraniano.
“No estaba seguro” de si Washington concedería a Ucrania una licencia para producir misiles Patriot, declaró el mandatario, antes de agregar: “Lo estamos estudiando”.
Trump explicó además por qué mantiene reservas sobre esa alternativa. “Es un arma extraordinaria, y… tenemos que tener cuidado con a quién le otorgamos la licencia. En realidad, no otorgamos licencias para equipos”, señaló.
Las declaraciones llegaron apenas dos días después del encuentro que mantuvo con el presidente ucraniano, Volodimir Zelensky, en la Casa Blanca. Tras esa reunión, el mandatario ucraniano describió el diálogo como “bueno” y aseguró que ambos conversaron sobre “la producción de misiles interceptores Patriot y otras ideas”.
A comienzos de julio, durante la cumbre de la OTAN celebrada en Turquía, Trump había afirmado que Washington concedería a Kiev una licencia para producir misiles Patriot, una posibilidad que Ucrania considera estratégica para fortalecer su defensa aérea.
Después del encuentro del martes en la Casa Blanca, Zelensky incluso aseguró que Trump “aceptó que nos dará licencias”, una afirmación que ahora contrasta con la cautela expresada por el presidente estadounidense.
El mandatario ucraniano también reveló contactos recientes con las empresas vinculadas al programa Patriot. “Tuve una reunión con los representantes de la producción… Espero que podamos hacer una coproducción. Esto es muy importante”, expresó.
Según la información disponible, tanto Lockheed como RTX fabrican interceptores Patriot.
El sistema de misiles constituye uno de los principales recursos de defensa aérea de Ucrania para interceptar misiles balísticos lanzados por Rusia contra Kiev y otras ciudades del país.
Durante la entrevista con el Financial Times, Trump insistió además en que su prioridad continúa centrada en poner fin a la guerra entre Rusia y Ucrania y anunció el próximo viaje de dos de sus enviados.
El presidente informó que Jared Kushner y Steve Witkoff visitarán Ucrania por primera vez en los próximos días. “En pocas palabras, queremos que termine la guerra entre Ucrania y Rusia”, sostuvo Trump.
Luego añadió: “No busco misiles. Buscamos la paz”.
En otro tramo de la entrevista, el mandatario estadounidense se refirió al conflicto con Irán y sostuvo que, pese a los recientes ataques atribuidos a Teherán contra distintos objetivos en Medio Oriente, considera que la situación terminará por favorecer a Estados Unidos. “Les estamos dando una paliza”, afirmó.
Trump también manifestó optimismo respecto del acuerdo de cooperación nuclear civil entre Estados Unidos y Arabia Saudita, anunciado la semana anterior.
El presidente indicó que conversó sobre la eventual normalización de las relaciones diplomáticas entre Arabia Saudita e Israel con el príncipe heredero saudita, Mohammed bin Salman, y con el primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu. Según Trump, “a ambos países les agrada mucho. Podría suceder”.
No obstante, el príncipe heredero saudita había manifestado anteriormente que la normalización solo será posible si Israel adopta medidas irreversibles para permitir la creación de un Estado palestino, una condición que las autoridades israelíes rechazaron.
En la misma entrevista, Trump también comentó su primera conversación telefónica con el nuevo primer ministro Andy Burnham y vinculó esa gestión con el desarrollo energético del Reino Unido. “Lo que parece quedar muy claro es que él quiere enriquecer a su país, y sabe que puede lograrlo explotando el petróleo del Mar del Norte”, sostuvo.
Finalmente, elogió esa estrategia y cuestionó al anterior gobierno británico. “Creo que lo va a conseguir. Si Starmer lo hubiera hecho, no estaría ahora mismo sentado en casa viendo la televisión”, concluyó.
Asia / Pacific,Diplomacy / Foreign Policy
Donors doubt Kamala Harris’ 2028 presidential run
Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, discusses big donors’ skepticism toward Kamala Harris’ 2028 presidential run. Thiessen points to her past campaign’s struggles and perceived left-wing stance as reasons for donor reluctance, highlighting her position to the left of Bernie Sanders in voting record analysis.
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Despite a career-long commitment to combating racial disparities in housing and touting the importance of living among Black people, former Vice President Kamala Harris’ new California mansion is situated in a neighborhood with virtually no racial diversity.
Harris’ new 4,000-square-foot property, which reports indicate she acquired for $8.15 million, is located in the exclusive seaside community of Point Dume and includes ocean views, multiple wine fridges, private golf greens and enough parking to accommodate five vehicles.
Point Dume is situated entirely within Census tract 8004.08, which the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimated was just 0.2% Black and roughly 94% White as of 2019.
Harris’ choice of neighborhood may surprise longtime observers given past comments she has made about the importance of living among other Black Americans.
KAMALA HARRIS IS THE ‘FAIRLY OBVIOUS’ 2028 PRESIDENTIAL FRONTRUNNER, DEMOCRATIC INSIDERS SAY
Despite a career-long commitment to combating racial disparities in housing and touting the importance of living among Black people, former Vice President Kamala Harris’ new California mansion is situated in a neighborhood with virtually no racial diversity. (Johnny Nunez/WireImage; Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
«When you’re at (a historically Black college or university), and especially one with the size and with the history of Howard University — and also in the context of also being in D.C., which was known forever as being ‘Chocolate City’ — it just becomes about you understanding that there is a whole world of people who are like you,» Harris told a Washington Post reporter in 2019, reflecting on her experience growing up in primarily White social circles then attending a historically Black college in a predominantly African American city.
«It was more, for me, about the numerosity than it was the diversity, I grew up in a community where there were many representations of diversity,» she added. «Going to Howard, there were so many (Black people)! And they’re all in your age group, in your phase of life.»
Now, however, Harris has chosen to put roots down in a community that at least one group has accused of trying to keep their beaches closed off to minorities.
CHICAGO SUBURB LOCALS HOPE REPARATIONS ADDRESSES ‘AFFORDABILITY PRESSURES’ AS BLACK POPULATION DWINDLES
Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom and first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom wave during a campaign rally opposing the gubernatorial recall election on Sept. 8, 2021, in San Leandro, California. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
«Despite the veneer of a laid back community of surfers who are one with nature, there are barriers to access that keep most BIPOC people away,» a pair of non-White surfers wrote in a 2025 review of Harris’s new neighborhood.
Harris spent a sizable portion of her career working to tear down similar barriers.
HARRIS STOPS IN KEY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATE AFTER LEAVING DOOR WIDE OPEN TO 2028 RUN
Vice President Kamala Harris hugs second gentleman Douglas Emhoff after speaking on the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)
In 2012, as California’s attorney general, for instance, she joined a Supreme Court brief arguing that the Fair Housing Act can be enforced when policies have a «disparate impact» across different racial groups, even if the policies themselves are racially neutral.
As a presidential candidate, she proposed $100 billion in assistance for families in historically redlined communities and as vice president she promoted the Biden administration’s efforts to combat racial bias in home appraisals.
During Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, she faced questions about the authenticity of her African American identity due to her Indian and Jamaican heritage and upbringing in affluent, primarily White areas. The attacks resurfaced in 2024, when then-candidate Donald Trump accused Harris of using her Black identity for political gain.
Harris caught flak during the 2024 campaign for identifying with Oakland, California, even though she spent most of her childhood growing up in Berkeley, California, which was significantly less racially diverse. As a teenager, she moved to Montreal, another predominantly White city, with her mother.
Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband, is also White.
Harris has returned to the headlines in recent weeks amid speculation that she may make a third run for the presidency in 2028.
A representative for the former vice president did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital Wednesday.
kamala harris, california, diversity, politics, democrats elections
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