Federal investigators say a relative of former FBI Director James B. Comey angrily texted Mr. Comey’s wife after he posted his “8647” message about President Trump on social media.
The relative said they hoped Mr. Comey would go to jail.
Investigators revealed in new court documents that the relative, who was not named, texted Mr, Comey’s wife, Patrice Failor, after Mr. Comey posted the explosive message — formed in seashells on a beach — on Instagram.
“You guys have really gone off the deep end over the years with your TDS,” the relative texted, referring to Trump Derangement Syndrome. “8647 is a call for violence no matter how you spin it. You should be ashamed of yourselves…I hope Jim goes to jail for his crimes.”
The texts were part of the federal government’s response to Mr. Comey’s move to dismiss the indictment against him over the social media post.
Justice Department lawyers said the text showed, “at least one relative of Comey also understood the post’s apparent meaning…”
The Justice Department defended its prosecution of Mr. Comey, saying “there is no serious dispute” that the seashells post he made last year could be viewed as a threat against Mr. Trump.
Mr. Comey defended the message as free speech and said it was not a call to violence. “86” stands for out of stock, to get rid of, or cancel. Mr. Trump is the 47th president.
Mr. Comey deleted the post later that day and Justice Department lawyers said Mr. Comey indicated he did so in response to the text from his relative.
Mr. Comey is charged with two felony counts of threatening the president and transmitting that threat in interstate commerce over a social media post.
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