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Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding, marking the first time in U.S. history that a former FBI chief faces criminal prosecution. A federal grand jury in Virginia issued the indictment, which stems from Comey's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020.
According to the indictment, Comey told lawmakers he had not authorised leaks of information about FBI investigations into Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. Prosecutors allege he misled Congress by denying he allowed others at the bureau to act as anonymous sources in media reports. If convicted, Comey could face up to five years in prison.
In a video statement posted Thursday, Comey declared, "My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I'm innocent. So, let's have a trial and keep the faith." He added, "We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn't either," emphasising that he and his family had long understood the risks of opposing Trump.
The case has sparked sharp political reactions. Trump celebrated on Truth Social, writing "JUSTICE FOR AMERICA!" and describing Comey as "one of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to." He later urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue charges against other critics, including Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, insisting, "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!"
Democrats condemned the indictment. Senator Mark Warner wrote, "A sad, sad day for our justice system. When a staunchly Republican US Attorney couldn't even find a credible case against James Comey, Trump pushed him out and found someone who would." Senator Elizabeth Warren warned, "It's Comey today, but it could be anyone tomorrow." House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the charges "a disgraceful attack on the rule of law."
The prosecution is being led by Lindsey Halligan, the new U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and a former Trump defence lawyer. Reports indicate that career prosecutors in the office had previously concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge Comey, and the grand jury rejected a third proposed count.
Comey, who directed the FBI from 2013 until Trump fired him in 2017, oversaw investigations into both Clinton's emails and Russian interference in the 2016 election.
His removal set the stage for Robert Mueller's special counsel probe, which documented numerous contacts between Trump's campaign and Russian operatives but did not establish a criminal conspiracy.
