Former FBI Director James Comey struck a defiant tone in a video released on Instagram on Thursday, proclaiming his innocence after being indicted.
“My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump. But we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way,” Comey said in the video. “We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either.”
“My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system,” Comey said. “And I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial.”
A federal grand jury indicted Comey earlier Thursday on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstruction. The charges stem from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing held on September 30, 2020, during which Comey was questioned by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) regarding his 2017 testimony.
Prosecutors allege that he lied to the Judiciary Committee when he said that he had not authorized the leaking of information related to the FBI’s investigations into President Donald Trump or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The indictment came just five days after President Donald Trump put public pressure on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute those he sees as political enemies.
Trump celebrated the news on social media, calling it a “great day” for America.
“JUSTICE IN AMERICA! One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
In the post addressed to Bondi, the president wrote, “They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), over nothing,” and “Justice must be served, now!!” in all capital letters.
Acting U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert resigned Friday after pressure from Trump, who said, “I want him out.” He was replaced by Lindsey Halligan, a former personal attorney for Trump, who was sworn in Monday as interim U.S. attorney for the district.
