CNN legal expert Elie Honig said the Republican outcry over a social media post from ex-FBI Director James Comey’s was “ridiculous” on Thursday. (Watch the video below.)
Comey, who was fired as the FBI head by Trump in 2017, had shared a photo on Instagram of sea shells on the beach forming the numbers “86 47.” The latter number referred to 47th president Trump and the “86” was being interpreted by some as “kill” instead of the far more common definition to throw out or get rid of.
Comey, who deleted the post, said he understood the shells he happened upon formed a political message but was unaware of any violent connotation.
Collins played a clip for Honig of National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard claiming Comey should be in jail.
“That’s ridiculous,” Honig said. “I mean, look, I am no fan of Jim Comey’s. I’ve been very critical of a lot of the things he’s done. I think posting this was extremely reckless, to use a phrase that he once used, and stupid. He has acknowledged that. He took it down. He said, I should not have posted this.”
“This is not criminal,” the legal pundit continued. “This is not a criminally chargeable threat against the president. It’s political speech. It’s way too broad. It’s stupid, it’s reckless. It’s not criminal. That’s just hyperbole that you’re hearing from the Cabinet members there.”
Fast forward to 2:40 for the Comey segment: