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Former FBI Director James Comey Jr.’s trial in North Carolina has been moved to 2027 after a federal judge granted his request for more time to prepare.
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Comey’s arraignment, previously set for Sept. 30 in New Bern, has been moved to January. His trial date has been moved from October to February.
U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan granted the request after Comey said his attorneys needed more time to prepare for trial, having spent much of the summer seeking to have the charges dismissed. Prosecutors did not oppose the request for more time.
“The gravity of the charges, pending motions, and the need to provide defense counsel additional time to prepare for trial promote need for continuance,” Flanagan’s Friday order states.
In April, Comey was indicted on two federal charges alleging that he threatened the president when he shared a photograph of seashells arranged to read “86 47” on a North Carolina beach with his 200,000 Instagram followers.
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After receiving backlash, including a harsh text from an estranged relative contending that “86” implied violence against Trump, the 47th president, Comey deleted the post, according to court filings. Comey has said he did not know the term “86,” defined in most dictionaries as “to get rid of” or “take off the menu,” was associated with violence.
Flanagan has yet to rule on Comey’s motions to dismiss the indictment, including his claim that the prosecution is selective and vindictive.
This story was originally published September 25, 2026 at 3:10 PM with the headline “James Comey’s North Carolina ‘86 47’ trial pushed to 2027. Here’s why..”
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