First Thing: Former FBI director James Comey indicted over Instagram seashells post

Comey, one of Donald Trump’s political enemies, charged with two felonies. Plus, Disneyland introduces facial recognition

Good morning.

The justice department filed new criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director, on Tuesday.

What has he been charged with? Two felonies: making a threat against the president, and transmitting that threat, via social media, across state lines.

What does the indictment say? That the seashell numbers were something a reasonable person “would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States”.

And how about Comey? He published a video of himself saying: “Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago. And this won’t be the end of it, but nothing has changed with me. I am still innocent. I am still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So, let’s go.” He continued: “It’s really important that all of us remember – this is not who we are as a country, this is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be, and the good news is we get closer every day to restoring those values. Keep the faith.”

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