New twist in Trump revenge plot as White House declassifies secret FBI probe
After publishing: 1 headline quietly rewritten, 2 descriptions edited3 changes
- ksat.comseen 21 Aug, 12:19description edited
what the description said, before and after
The Justice Department is defending its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, saying there's "no serious dispute” that a social media post of seashells he made could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump.The Justice Department is defending its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey and says there's "no serious dispute” that a social media post of seashells he made could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump.
- greeleytribune.comseen 10 Sept, 20:17headline rewritten
Grand jury subpoenas being sent in investigation targeting Russia probeNew grand jury subpoenas being sent in investigation targeting Trump-Russia probe, AP sources say - PBS NewsHourseen 1 Oct, 07:51description edited
what the description said, before and after
This week's Senate Judiciary hearing comes after a key Republican lawmaker said in July he believes that special counsel Jack Smith may have lied to Congress while testifying about his investigation of President Donald Trump and that the Justice Department should consider prosecuting him.Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two federal indictments against President Donald Trump, told lawmakers on Tuesday that he "will not be silenced by continued threats of prosecution" from the Trump administration and that he believes the rule of law is being threatened like never before.
After the peak, new reports halved every 15 hours so far - this story is still being covered, so the figure moves as reports arrive.
What it is about
Who published it, and when
+ 4 more outlets · 20 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 44 original reports, 3 reprints
Wed, 5 August 2026
4 reports- alternet.org14:16first to report
On Wednesday, the White House released classified information asserting that the FBI investigated whether President Donald Trump was acting as a Russian asset when he fired former FBI Director James Comey.
- foxnews.com14:57
Declassified FBI memos reveal the bureau opened a counterintelligence probe codenamed "Oxferd Comma" after Trump fired James Comey in 2017.
- nypost.com15:15
- theepochtimes.com16:24
The investigation started shortly after the president fired the FBI director in 2017, the documents show.
Fri, 7 August 2026
1 report- foxnews.com13:47
The FBI opened a counterintelligence probe codenamed "Oxferd Comma" after Trump fired James Comey, seeking direct ties to the Russian Federation.
Wed, 19 August 2026
5 reports- The Guardian World14:27
Justice department claims there’s ‘no dispute’ over whether ex-FBI head’s post could be read as a threat against Trump The US Department of Justice has defended its prosecution of former FBI director James Comey, claiming in new court documents there is “no serious dispute” that his social media post last year featuring a photo of seashells arranged to read “8647” could be interpreted as a threat against Donald Trump. “There is no serious dispute that an objective viewer of Comey’s post could...
- The Hill15:39
The Justice Department discouraged a judge from tossing a case against former FBI Director James Comey, saying it should be up to the jury to determine whether posting a photo of seashells arranged to spell “86 47” constituted a “true threat” against President Trump’s life. “The issue presented is who should answer the ‘true threats’...
- PBS NewsHour15:57
Prosecutors also called into question Comey's account that he had found the seashells in the numerical arrangement of "86 47" while walking on a beach in North Carolina and suggested that his May 2025 post on Instagram was an effort to generate attention for a forthcoming novel.
1 reprint
- ksat.com19 Aug, 11:51their copy
- Bloomberg Politics16:00
The Justice Department is doubling down on its prosecution of James Comey, pushing back on the former FBI director’s assertion that a 2025 social media post wasn’t intended as a threat to President Donald Trump.
- Al Jazeera English17:50
The ex-FBI chief faces accusations of transmitting threats and exploiting controversy to market his upcoming novel.
Thu, 20 August 2026
2 reports- wnd.com17:54
He's charged criminally for posting message believed to be threat to President Trump
- sandiegouniontribune.com20:52
It's part of a Florida-based inquiry aiming to establish a conspiracy against the Republican president.
Sat, 22 August 2026
1 report- Google News - Top Stories16:32
Free speech group calls foul play at prosecutors using Comey novel in case against him The Guardian FBI asked 'Sammy the Bull' if ex-Gambino mob prosecutor Comey knew meaning of '86': court filing Fox News 'No serious dispute' that Comey's seashell post could be read as a Trump threat, prosecutors say Los Angeles Times Justice Department attempts to distance Attorney General Todd Blanche from Comey’s ‘8647’ seashell threat indictment CNN Book him: Prosecutors using James Comey’s novel against...
Thu, 3 September 2026
1 report- publicradioeast.org10:43
James Comey is scheduled for arraignment in New Bern on September 30, with a trial set for October 21. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison.
Tue, 8 September 2026
1 report- greeleytribune.com18:25edited after publishing
previously
Grand jury subpoenas being sent in investigation targeting Russia probeDOJ is demanding testimony before a grand jury in investigation targeting perceived adversaries of Trump.
Fri, 11 September 2026
1 report- Bloomberg Politics22:44
The US Justice Department is ramping up a controversial investigation into whether former government officials years ago conspired to undermine President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.
Mon, 14 September 2026
4 reports- The Guardian World16:52
Subpoena is among a flurry issued in recent weeks as part of DoJ inquiry into alleged conspiracy against Trump The former CIA director John Brennan has been subpoenaed to testify next month before a Florida grand jury as part of a Department of Justice investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired against Donald Trump, one of his lawyers said Monday. Ken Wainstein, an attorney for Brennan, disclosed in a court filing that prosecutors last Thursday...
- PBS NewsHour17:26
Former CIA Director John Brennan has been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury as part of a Justice Department investigation into whether law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired against President Trump.
1 reprint
- kmxt.org15 Sept, 06:58their copy
- dailycaller.com19:03
John Brennan must testify before a grand jury about his central role in a grand conspiracy to frame President Donald Trump as a Russian puppet.
- wohfradio.com21:15
A lawyer for former CIA Director John Brennan says Brennan has been subpoenaed to testify next month before a Florida grand jury as part of a Justice Department investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired agai…
Tue, 15 September 2026
3 reports- NPR News06:58
John Brennan has been subpoenaed to testify before a Florida grand jury in a Justice Department probe into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired against President Trump.
- Bloomberg Politics19:41
The US Justice Department is investigating hundreds of cases of possible election fraud across the country, Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
- The Hill21:50
Former FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday asked that his trial on charges of threatening President Trump's life with seashells styled to spell "86 47" be moved to February. Comey had previously motioned to have the trial start Oct. 21. His latest motion, written by defense attorney Joseph Zeszotarski Jr., requested that the date be...
Fri, 18 September 2026
1 report- wnd.com20:23
Will 'investigate investigators conducting seemingly meritless probes across the executive and legislative branches'
Mon, 28 September 2026
1 report- PBS NewsHour20:23edited after publishing
Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two federal indictments against President Donald Trump, told lawmakers on Tuesday that he "will not be silenced by continued threats of prosecution" from the Trump administration and that he believes the rule of law is being threatened like never before.
Mon, 5 October 2026
1 report- theconservativetreehouse.com21:07
The White House has declassified documents from within the executive branch, specifically from within the Dept of Justice and FBI highlighting that Jack Smith used the Washington Field Office of the FBI to target President Trump’s campaign advisor, campaign manager and current Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The activity took place while Joe Biden was […]
Tue, 6 October 2026
1 report- zerohedge.com13:20
ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
Wed, 7 October 2026
2 reports- The Hill17:10
An ex-personal attorney to President Trump is taking on a Democratic political operative as a client, accusing the Justice Department of not treating him fairly after he took a plea deal. Kendra Wharton will represent Colin Strother as he prepares for his Nov. 17 sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and agreeing...
- wcrz.com17:44
A Grand Blanc man is facing a federal charge after Secret Service investigators say he made threats against President Donald Trump, his family and government buildings.
Thu, 8 October 2026
2 reports- zerohedge.com00:30
ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
- Google News - Top Stories15:35
Trump says he is considering asking FBI to investigate the death of Nolan Wells The Guardian Trump says he may ask FBI to look into Nolan Wells death Reuters Ben Crump responds after Trump says administration is ‘looking into’ Nolan Wells’ death WAPT FBI Won’t Investigate Nolan Wells’ Death, But Two Autopsies Still Can’t Say How The Mississippi Teen Died Yahoo DOJ Pushes Back on Nolan Wells’ Parents Demand for Federal Investigation as His Mom Says They ‘Cannot Move On’ People.com
Thu, 15 October 2026
6 reports- Bloomberg Politics17:33
A federal judge in Washington dismissed a lawsuit filed by former CIA Director John Brennan to compel the Justice Department to take special steps to preserve records in an ongoing criminal investigation into President Donald Trump’s perceived political enemies.
- koaa.com18:40
FBI employees fired for their roles in the investigation of President Donald Trump's retention of classified documents at his Florida estate are suing to get their jobs back.
1 reprint
- wfmz.com15 Oct, 17:39their copy
- The Hill18:52
A federal judge on Thursday agreed to toss a lawsuit from former CIA Director John Brennan, arguing he did not yet have standing to sue over an investigation targeting him for his role in reviewing the 2016 election. Brennan brought the suit in July, seeking to compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to preserve records...
- nbcnews.com19:03
John Brennan, who led the intelligence agency under President Barack Obama, had sought to secure the records to defend against future prosecution by the Trump administration.
- PBS NewsHour19:26
The investigation resulted in a dramatic 2022 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago that recovered classified records and later produced an indictment in federal court in Florida charging then-former President Donald Trump with dozens of felony counts.
- The Hill21:45
Nine former FBI agents sued the Justice Department on Thursday, alleging they were wrongly fired solely because of their work investigating President Trump in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. Attorneys for the agents write that their “fate was sealed by virtue of simply having worked on an investigation into Trump’s wrongdoing,” noting Attorney General Todd Blanche...
Fri, 16 October 2026
5 reports- Der Spiegel (Germany)00:34
Donald Trump gilt als legendär nachtragend. Das zeigte sich auch bei der Entlassung von FBI-Leuten, die zuvor gegen ihn ermittelt hatten. Neun Agenten und Analysten wollen ihren Jobverlust allerdings nicht kampflos hinnehmen.
- Le Monde (France)01:35
Les enquêteurs de l’agence fédérale qui travaillaient sur la rétention de documents classifiés par Donald Trump, avaient été licenciés sans préavis en février.
- Le Monde English03:36
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump's administration has fired dozens of FBI and other law enforcement personnel associated with the investigations, which the president has denounced as 'political witch hunts.'
- ibtimes.co.uk08:30
Nine former FBI employees have sued the Trump administration, alleging they were unlawfully dismissed in retaliation for their roles in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents investigation.
- Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany)18:24
Nach Ermittlungen gegen den US-Präsidenten in der Dokumenten-Affäre verlieren neun FBI-Beschäftigte ihre Stelle. Nun ziehen sie vor Gericht.
Sun, 18 October 2026
1 report- crooksandliars.com13:57
This is not how it's supposed to work.
Tue, 20 October 2026
1 report- cbs2iowa.com19:36
President Donald Trump clashed with at least one reporter during a heated Oval Office exchange on Tuesday.