Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged with perjury by the US Department of Justice, stemming from testimony he provided to Congress five years ago. This development thrusts the ex-FBI chief back into public attention, nearly a decade after his pivotal role in the 2016 election drama.
Who is James Comey?
James Comey, a seasoned prosecutor, began his career in the late 1980s working for prominent federal prosecutors, including Rudy Giuliani in the Southern District of New York. He gained significant attention for his role in prosecuting Martha Stewart, who was jailed in 2004 for financial misconduct.
Comey advanced through the justice department ranks before moving to the private sector. In 2013, President Barack Obama appointed him as the Director of the FBI. His tenure was marked by controversy during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election when he announced the reopening of an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. This decision, breaking with FBI norms, was followed by another announcement a week later closing the case, drawing criticism from some and influencing the election’s outcome.
An inspector general’s report later criticized Comey’s handling of the Clinton investigation. His actions were also blamed by Hillary Clinton for her election loss. Shortly after Donald Trump became president, Comey was dismissed from his position.
Why was Trump compelled to fire Comey?
At the time of Comey’s dismissal, he was leading an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential links to the Trump campaign. The White House cited Comey’s handling of the Clinton probe as the reason for his firing, while Democrats pointed to the Russia investigation as the primary driver. Trump himself later acknowledged that Russia had been on his mind when he made the decision to remove Comey.
This action led to the appointment of a special counsel to oversee the investigation, resulting in numerous charges against Trump campaign associates for offenses including hacking and financial crimes. However, the investigation did not establish a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia to influence the election.
What is Comey indicted for?
The federal indictment, consisting of two pages, details charges against Comey for making false statements and obstruction of justice. Comey has asserted his innocence, vowing to prove his case in court.
The charges are linked to his virtual testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020. During this testimony, he was questioned regarding his management of the Clinton case and the investigation into Russian interference. Prosecutors allege that Comey misled the Senate by denying he had authorized the leak of FBI investigation details to the media. The statute of limitations for these charges, which is five years, was set to expire the following week.
What did Comey testify about in 2020?
The indictment does not specify which part of Comey’s testimony is in question or which alleged leak is being referred to. A notable moment occurred when Senator Ted Cruz questioned Comey about his May 2017 testimony, in which he denied being a source for stories about the Trump or Clinton investigations and denied authorizing any FBI leaks.
Comey affirmed to Cruz that he stood by his 2017 testimony. Some Republicans have claimed this statement might be false, citing a 2018 inspector general report where Comey’s former FBI deputy, Andrew McCabe, reportedly told investigators that Comey had authorized him to leak information to the press.
What has Trump said about Comey?
President Trump had recently called on his Attorney General to pursue his political opponents, specifically naming James Comey. Critics argue that the timing of the indictment, occurring shortly after Trump’s remarks, demonstrates a politicization of the Justice Department. Conversely, some conservatives contend that the Justice Department’s independence was already compromised by what they perceive as politically motivated investigations targeting Trump.
Following the news of the indictment, Trump publicly stated: “JUSTICE IN AMERICA! One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former Corrupt Head of the FBI.” Trump’s animosity towards Comey dates back years, with Comey having been critical of Trump after his dismissal, detailing in a book how Trump allegedly pressured him to drop the Russia investigation, likening his actions to those of a mob boss.
What are the next steps?
James Comey is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on October 9th. At this hearing, the charges will be formally presented, and he will enter his plea. The case is then expected to proceed to trial.
Trump has indicated that further charges may be brought against other political figures, urging prosecutors to investigate Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has condemned these calls as a “disgraceful attack on the rule of law.”