Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Two Counts

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Thursday on two federal counts, including making false statements and obstruction of justice, stemming from his 2020 testimony before Congress. The indictment, filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, marks a significant development following President Donald Trump's public calls for Comey's prosecution. The charges were brought just days before the statute of limitations for the alleged offenses was set to expire.

The indictment alleges that Mr. Comey provided false statements to a Senate committee in September 2020 regarding whether he authorized a leak of classified information to the media. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the indictment "reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people." Mr. Comey, who served as FBI Director from 2013 to 2017, has maintained his innocence.

The charges follow a tumultuous period within the Justice Department, which saw the abrupt departure of U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert, who reportedly had reservations about pursuing charges against Comey. President Trump then appointed Lindsey Halligan, his former personal lawyer, to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Ms. Halligan, who has no prior prosecutorial experience, quickly brought the indictment.

President Trump celebrated the indictment on Truth Social, calling Comey "One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to." When asked if others might face charges, the President remarked, "It’s not a list, but I think there will be others." Mr. Comey responded to the charges in a video statement, asserting, "My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump. I am innocent. So, let's have a trial."

Legal experts and Democratic officials have raised concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department, with some drawing comparisons to the Biden administration's handling of Trump's own indictments. This case is seen as a major escalation in the President's efforts to target political adversaries, potentially setting a precedent for future actions against critics. Mr. Comey is scheduled to be arraigned on October 9 in Alexandria, Virginia.