Comey has long been a target of President Donald Trump, who has called the former FBI director a “sick guy” who “did terrible things” at the agency.
Key Facts
Comey has been charged with one count of making a false statement and one count of obstruction, which could carry up to five years in prison if Comey is convicted.
The charges were brought by Acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s former defense attorney who he appointed to the post over the weekend, though she has no prosecutorial experience outside of her time handling Trump’s personal lawsuits.
Bondi said in a tweet not explicitly naming Comey that “Today’s indictment reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people.”
Comey is accused of lying about testimony given in 2020, when he stood by a separate testimony made three years prior in which he said he did not approve leaking information about the FBI’s Russian collusion investigation into Trump.
Judge Michael Nachmanoff, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, has been assigned to Comey’s case.
The indictment comes just days after Trump demanded Bondi begin prosecuting his foes, saying in a Truth Social post, “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” and “They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!! »
The statute of limitations for Comey’s charges were slated to expire Tuesday.Crucial Quote
“My heart is broken for the Department of Justice but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I’m innocent,” Comey said in a video statement.
