Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Federal Charges in Virginia
A federal grand jury in Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two charges connected to testimony he gave before Congress in 2020.
Comey, who has long been a target of criticism from former President Donald Trump, is accused of lying to a Senate committee about whether he authorized leaks of classified information to the media. He faces one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice.
Comey Declares Innocence
Responding to the indictment, Comey strongly denied the charges, saying he had “great confidence in the federal judicial system.”
In a video statement, he added:
“My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump. We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either. I am innocent. So, let’s have a trial.”
If convicted, Comey could face up to five years in prison.
Details of the Charges
The charges stem from Comey’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020. During the hearing, senators questioned him about the FBI’s handling of two politically explosive cases:
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Alleged Russian interference in favor of Trump during the 2016 election.
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Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State.
According to the indictment:
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The first count accuses Comey of lying when he denied authorizing an FBI official to anonymously provide information to reporters regarding an investigation into “PERSON 1,” widely believed to be Hillary Clinton.
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The second count alleges that he attempted to obstruct the committee’s work by making false statements.
A third potential charge of making false statements was rejected by the jury.
The indictment comes just before the five-year statute of limitations for charges related to that hearing was set to expire.
Political Pressure and Trump’s Influence
The case has fueled debate over political influence on the Department of Justice (DOJ). It comes only days after Trump urged top law enforcement officials to more aggressively investigate his political rivals, including Comey.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who faced pressure from Trump over the weekend, said the charges show the DOJ’s “commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable.”
The investigation is now being led by Lindsey Halligan, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and a former Trump lawyer. She replaced Erik Seibert, who was dismissed by the Trump administration.
Democrats Push Back
Democrats quickly condemned the charges. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the indictment a “disgraceful attack on the rule of law” and vowed accountability for anyone “complicit in this malignant corruption.”
Legal experts also warned that the case could be difficult to prove. Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor, explained:
“Even if James Comey got things wrong, that doesn’t mean he knowingly or intentionally lied to Congress. Proving intent will be the heart of the case.”
She also noted that Trump’s public pressure on the DOJ suggests the traditional firewall between the White House and federal prosecutors has collapsed.
Comey’s History with Trump
James Comey served as FBI Director from 2013 to 2017. His tenure included overseeing the controversial investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails during the 2016 election. Trump fired him in 2017 amid the FBI’s probe into Russian election interference.
This is not the first time Comey has faced scrutiny:
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Earlier this year, the Secret Service investigated him over a cryptic social media post involving the numbers “8647,” which critics alleged was a coded message against Trump.
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In July, his daughter Maurene Comey, a longtime federal prosecutor in New York, was abruptly fired. She has since filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming wrongful dismissal.
What Happens Next
Comey’s first court appearance is expected on Friday, with his formal arraignment scheduled for October 9 in Alexandria, Virginia, according to CBS News.
The case is being called one of the most high-profile indictments of Trump’s second term, underscoring the deep political divisions surrounding the former FBI chief.