Congress Condemns Ex-FBI Director Comey Over Cryptic Social Post, Demands DOJ Investigation and Federal Job Ban

This isn’t a bill about taxes or healthcare; it’s Congress dropping a political hammer via a resolution. The target is former FBI Director James Comey, and the core issue is a cryptic social media post he made back in May 2025. Congress claims that his post—which featured the phrase “cool shell formation” next to the numbers “8647”—was actually a coded incitement to violence against President Trump, and they are using this resolution to formally condemn him for it.

The Resolution’s Demands: Investigation and Blacklist

This resolution doesn’t just express feelings; it demands action from the executive branch, which is where the real impact lies. First, the House is officially stating that Comey’s actions constitute “incitement of violence” against an elected official (Section 1). More critically, the resolution formally requests that the Department of Justice (DOJ) launch a “complete and thorough investigation” into this alleged incitement (Section 3). For regular folks, this is a big deal: Congress is using its platform to directly pressure federal law enforcement to investigate a former high-ranking official based on a political interpretation of a non-specific social media post.

Permanent Ban from Federal Employment

Perhaps the most punitive measure in the resolution is the demand that authorities take “every possible step” to ensure Mr. Comey is “permanently barred from employment with the Federal Government” (Section 2). Think about that for a second. This is Congress attempting to impose a severe professional penalty—a lifetime employment ban—on a private citizen based on a political condemnation, without any formal criminal conviction or established administrative process. If you’re a federal employee or a former official, this sets a concerning precedent: political disagreements, even expressed vaguely on social media, could be weaponized to end your career prospects with the government.

The Chilling Effect on Political Speech

This resolution has a high potential for a “chilling effect” on the political speech of former officials, and even current ones. When Congress uses its power to demand a DOJ investigation and a professional blacklisting over a cryptic post, it tells everyone else that political expression—especially if it’s critical of the ruling party—comes with serious professional risks. While the resolution claims to be protecting against political violence, its method involves blurring the lines between legitimate legislative oversight and political targeting, potentially pressuring the DOJ to pursue investigations based on partisan resolutions rather than criminal standards. For anyone who believes in a neutral, non-political federal law enforcement system, this resolution raises serious concerns about the separation of powers and the use of the DOJ as a political tool.