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Attorneys general

Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted on False Statement and Obstruction Charges

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Attorney General Pam Bondi's office has branded the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey as one of the "worst abuses" in the Justice Department's history, according to a report. The indictment, brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, accuses Comey of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding in September 2020. If convicted, Comey could face up to five years behind bars.

Comey, who led the FBI from 2013 until 2017 when President Donald Trump fired him, has denied any wrongdoing. The indictment reflects the DOJ's "commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people," Bondi said. However, some DOJ employees appear to disagree, with department sources telling MSNBC that the Comey indictment is "among the worst abuses in DOJ history."

Days before the indictment was handed down, President Donald Trump instructed Bondi to pursue his political foes in a message on his social media platform. Trump wrote, "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" The president suggested that the indictment was part of a revenge operation and that he hopes there will be other charges brought against his political foes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
  • The indictment is one of the "worst abuses" in the Justice Department's history, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi's office.
  • Comey is accused of lying when he testified before Congress in 2020 about whether he authorized someone at the FBI to be a source for a Wall Street Journal article.
  • The story was about the probe into Hillary Clinton that was published in October 2016, shortly before the presidential election.
  • A 2018 report by the office of the inspector general found that then-deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe authorized bureau staff to speak to the Journal about the Clinton investigation.
  • McCabe was fired from the FBI in 2018 for allegedly lying about the incident.
  • Comey testified in 2017 that he had not authorized the leak, and in 2020, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz pressed him on the matter again.
  • Comey's indictment comes days after Erik Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, submitted his resignation at Trump's request.
  • Trump also expressed his desire to pursue charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who he perceives as one of his political enemies.

Statistics:

  • The Justice Department's indictment of James Comey could result in up to five years behind bars if he is convicted.
  • 2018 report by the office of the inspector general found that Andrew McCabe authorized bureau staff to speak to the Journal about the Clinton investigation.
  • 2017: Comey testified before Congress that he had not authorized the leak.
  • 2020: Comey was indicted on charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
  • 5 times: Trump has been indicted by prosecutors during his presidency.
  • 6 years: Boeing's ability to certify Max jets for flight was restored by the FAA in October 2023.

Sources:

  • "Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Charges of Making False Statements and Obstructing a Congressional Proceeding" (The Independent)
  • "Attorney General Pam Bondi's Office Brands Comey Indictment as 'Worst Abuses' in DOJ History" (MSNBC)
  • "Trump Presses Bondi to Pursue Political Foes, Tries to Tie Her Indictment to Revenge" (AP)
  • "Comey's Indictment Comes Amid Trump's Crusade Against 'Enemies'" (ABC News)
  • " McCabe Fired from FBI for Allegedly Lying About Clinton Investigation Leak" (The Hill)
  • "Trump's U.S. Attorney Requests Resignation Amid Controversy" (Politico)

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