Opening Arguments

James Comey, Seashell Assassin

8 snips
May 8, 2026
They pick apart an absurd indictment over a seashell photo and debate free speech and true threat law. They catalog recent DOJ settlements and question who benefits from government payouts. They survey high-profile civil suits, antitrust developments, and possible mass damages for January 6 participants. They close with troubling reports of police misconduct in Massachusetts.
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INSIGHT

Comey Seashell Post Became A Criminal Indictment

  • The DOJ indicted James Comey for a May 2025 Instagram post showing seashells forming "8647," alleging a reasonable viewer would see it as a threat to the president.
  • Todd Blanche defended the indictment as based on an 11-month investigation and a grand jury, though the public indictment cites only the Instagram post.
INSIGHT

Indictment Claims Hidden Evidence Beyond The Public Charge

  • Blanche repeatedly emphasized the indictment rests on a body of evidence beyond the Instagram post, but the charging document publicly lists only that post.
  • Hosts argue the mismatch suggests either secret evidence or a politically embarrassing, thin case.
INSIGHT

Purdue Settlement Ends Company But Leaves Small Victim Payouts

  • Purdue's long litigation ends with a final settlement converting Purdue into a nonprofit and Sackler payments ($7B) plus Purdue funds ($900M).
  • Individual victims face modest payouts (roughly $8k–$16k) requiring proof of OxyContin prescriptions.
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