A federal judge Tuesday scheduled former FBI Director James Comey's seashell photo trial for October, pushing the trial back after his defense team asked for more time to file their response.

Comey was indicted by a grand jury in North Carolina last month for posting a photo of shells on a beach last year in the formation of "86-47" that prosecutors alleged was a threat against the president. 

The former director's trial date was initially scheduled for July 15, but U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan agreed to push the trial date to Oct. 21 after a request from Comey's defense team. Comey's arraignment is now scheduled for Sept. 30, 2026.

"Taking defendant’s request and the government’s lack of opposition into account, the court finds that the ends of justice served by granting the requested continuance and setting arraignment for September 30, 2026, outweigh the best interests of the public and defendant in a speedy trial," Flanagan wrote in the order.

Comey's legal team is expected to file motions to dismiss the case based on the argument that the case is a product of vindictive and selective prosecution, according to Flanagan.

Pretrial motions in Comey's case are due July 28, and responses to those motions are due August 18. 

The former director has been officially charged with making a threat against the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.