A Florida man’s vile online threats against Alina Habba, a respected interim U.S. attorney and former Trump advisor, have landed him in federal crosshairs. Salvatore Russotto’s alleged posts, dripping with violent intent, expose the toxic underbelly of social media rhetoric.
Fox News reported that Russotto faces charges for interstate threats and retaliating against a federal officer after targeting Habba in May 2025.
The case, announced by Gregory W. Kehoe in Florida, stems from posts using “86,” a term law enforcement interprets as a call to “get rid of” someone. This isn’t just keyboard bravado—it’s a federal crime.
The posts, laced with profanity and death wishes, reveal a disturbing mindset. Russotto allegedly wrote, “Eliminate [Habba]. 86 Traitor,” demanding a “slow painful death” for the New Jersey prosecutor. Such language isn’t free speech; it’s a direct threat to a public servant’s life.
The FBI links Russotto’s threats to a wave of “copycat” incidents inspired by a cryptic Instagram post from former FBI Director James Comey.
In May 2025, Comey shared a photo of seashells arranged as “86 47,” captioned as a “cool shell formation.” The post, deleted after backlash, ignited a firestorm of dangerous imitations.
Comey’s claim of innocence—“I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence”—rings hollow to many. President Trump, in a May 2025 Fox News interview, didn’t mince words: “He knew exactly what that meant.” A former FBI director should know better than to play coy with coded messages.
The Secret Service hauled Comey in for a June 2025 interview, probing his intent. His deletion of the post suggests guilt, not ignorance. Meanwhile, Russotto’s threats show how fast reckless rhetoric can spiral into real-world danger.
FBI Director Kash Patel isn’t having it. “This is yet another disturbing example of a dangerous copycat inspired by the reckless behavior of former officials,” Patel said, condemning threats against those serving the nation. His team is stretched thin, chasing down copycats while battling child predators and drug traffickers.
Patel’s frustration is palpable: “Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline” to handle these threats?
The FBI’s declassification of a report on Russotto’s allegations underscores the severity of the issue. Public safety shouldn’t be collateral damage in social media stunts.
Russotto’s posts didn’t just target Habba’s life—they aimed to intimidate a federal officer. Charged with transmission of threats and retaliation, he faces serious prison time if convicted. The indictment sends a clear message: online threats aren’t a game.
Comey’s seashell post wasn’t just tone-deaf—it was a catalyst. The “86 47” imagery, interpreted by some as a call to violence, sparked a “significant” number of copycat threats, per an FBI official. That Comey captioned it “cool shell formation” insults the intelligence of anyone paying attention.
Trump’s take cuts through the noise: “A child knows what that meant.” The former president’s bluntness highlights the absurdity of Comey’s defense. If a seasoned FBI director can’t foresee the fallout of such a post, what does that say about his judgment?
The FBI’s ongoing investigations into these copycat threats show the ripple effect of careless actions. An official noted the number of incidents is too sensitive to disclose, signaling a broader crisis. This isn’t about seashells—it’s about accountability.
Alina Habba, a former Trump counselor now serving as New Jersey’s interim U.S. attorney, didn’t ask for this. Her role demands courage, yet she’s met with vile threats like “86 that b----.” Public servants deserve better than being scapegoats for political grudges.
Russotto’s indictment is a step toward justice, but the broader issue persists. Social media’s anonymity emboldens cowards, and figures like Comey fan the flames with reckless posts. The FBI’s swift action in Florida shows zero tolerance for such behavior.
