A federal grand jury in the US state of Virginia has indicted former FBI Director, James Comey on two charges related to his testimony to Congress.
Comey was charged with one count of making false statements and another of obstruction of justice.
The first count relates to Comey telling the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had not “authorised someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports” regarding his conversations with Trump over an FBI investigation into whether Russia meddled with the 2016 presidential election.
The second count alleges that Comey “did corruptly endeavor to influence, obstruct and impede” the Senate Judiciary Committee investigation by making false statements to it.
The charges against Comey stem from his 2020 statement to the US Senate Judiciary Committee that he did not authorise the FBI to leak information about investigations into Trump or Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election.
According to charging documents, Comey made his alleged false statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee “willfully and knowingly”, as Comey had directed an unnamed person “to serve as an anonymous source in news reports regarding an FBI investigation.”
This meant Comey “did corruptly endeavour to influence, obstruct and impede the due and proper exercise of the power of the inquiry” of the committee on around 30 September 2020, the document stated.
At that 2020 congressional hearing, Comey reaffirmed his 2017 testimony that he did not disclose or approve the disclosure of information about FBI investigations into either Trump or his 2016 presidential rival Hillary Clinton.
Comey is the first ex-FBI Director to be indicted for a crime. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison.
Comey headed the FBI from 2013 to 2017, until he was fired by Trump shortly into his first term in office.
The probe is being led by Lindsey Halligan, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who was previously Trump’s personal lawyer and took over her new role on Monday.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that the indictment “reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people.”
Following Comey’s indictment, Trump posted on Truth Social, “JUSTICE FOR AMERICA!” He added, “One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former Corrupt Head of the FBI.”
“He has been so bad for our Country, for so long, and is now at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes against our Nation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Donald Trump
James Comey Declares Innocence
Responding to the indictment, Comey declared himself innocent.
Comey said in a video posted on Instagram, “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I am innocent, so let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”
Comey said in video statement that he and his family “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,” he stated.
A lawyer for Comey, Patrick Fitzgerald, issued a short staying saying his client denied the charges, adding, “We look forward to vindicating him in the courtroom.”
News of Comey’s indictment was immediately criticised by Democrats, including Virginia Senator, Mark Warner.
“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. Trump will stop at nothing to punish political enemies.”
Mark Warner
Massachusetts Senator, Elizabeth Warren wrote on X, “It’s Comey today, but it could be anyone tomorrow.”
House Democratic Leader, Hakeem Jeffries denounced it as “a disgraceful attack on the rule of law.”
