WASHINGTON — Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Thursday, 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.
According to unsealed documents, Comey is being charged with making a false statement and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
Comey has maintained his innocence.
The charges stem from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing held on September 30, 2020, where Comey was questioned by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) regarding his testimony in 2017. In that testimony, Comey asserted 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. Comey firmly stated, “I stand by the testimony.”
Comey could face a maximum of five years in prison if convicted.
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.
Bondi confirmed the indictment, saying the charges “reflect this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case.”
Comey denied the charges against him in a video posted on Instagram.
“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. We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either,” Comey said.
Comey’s arraignment is scheduled for October 9 before U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden.
For the past 50 years, presidents have refrained from commenting on whether the Department of Justice should initiate prosecutions. Trump has undone those norms.
