Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on federal criminal charges for making false statements and obstruction of justice. The charges are connected to Comey's involvement in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, which delved into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. This development marks the first time a senior government official linked to the investigation faces prosecution.
The indictment was announced following Comey's September 30, 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. During the hearing, Comey addressed his role in the FBI's probe and his handling of memos documenting private conversations with President Trump. Court documents released Thursday indicate that a federal grand jury declined to pursue a third count of additional false statements against Comey.
In response to the indictment, President Donald Trump expressed his disdain for Comey during a Fox News interview Thursday evening, labeling him "one of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to." Trump criticized Comey's actions as having created national instability and suggested that the "Russia, Russia, Russia hoax" posed a threat that "could have caused wars."
The charges were filed by US Attorney Lindsey Halligan for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan, appointed after the removal of her predecessor Erik Siebert last week, acted on direct orders from the Trump administration. She pushed forward with the indictment as the statute of limitations deadline loomed.
Halligan emphasized the gravity of the charges, stating, "The balance of power is a bedrock principle of our democracy, and it relies upon accountability and a forthright presentation of facts from executive leadership to congressional oversight." The indictment focuses on Comey's congressional testimony, particularly his denial of authorizing the disclosure of memos to the media.
Former US Attorney Siebert had previously informed Justice Department officials that his office lacked sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges against Comey. However, Trump hinted at the possibility of further prosecutions, particularly when probed about former CIA Director John Brennan.
The president has been vocal in characterizing the Russia investigation as a severe political scandal, even claiming it surpasses Watergate in its implications for the country.
Comey responded to the indictment with an Instagram video, denouncing Trump as "a tyrant" and vowing to fight the charges in court. He expressed his family's willingness to bear the costs of standing up to Trump and voiced confidence in the federal judicial system despite his concerns about the Justice Department.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the charges through social media, underscoring the administration's commitment to accountability and stating, "No one is above the law."
The case has garnered significant attention, with public figures like Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch commenting on the indictment and suggesting a fair trial would likely result in a conviction. Comey's handling of the memos and his subsequent testimony remain central to the charges, as the 2019 Department of Justice Inspector General report found that Comey improperly handled the memos but did not recommend prosecution at the time.
