Former FBI Director James Comey asked a federal court in North Carolina on Thursday to cancel his upcoming appearance, arguing it is unnecessary because he already surrendered in Virginia and has appeared before a judge for allegedly threatening President Donald Trump . The Department of Justice has backed his request.

Comey was indicted last week on two counts of allegedly “knowingly and willfully” transmitting a threat against Trump after posting an Instagram photo showing seashells arranged in the numbers “86 47.” Prosecutors say the post amounted to a threat against Trump, the 47th president.

Comey has denied that interpretation, saying he believed the arrangement was a political message he noticed on a beach and did not intend it as a threat.

He also said he deleted the post once he realized it was being viewed as potentially violent.

The case is the second against Comey, a longtime perceived adversary of the Republican president, brought by Trump's Justice Department (Getty)

He is currently set to…