The recent indictment of former F.B.I. Director James B. Comey, announced on Thursday, marks the culmination of President Trump’s persistent calls for retribution. For years, Trump had demanded accountability over the bureau’s investigation into potential Russian interference in his 2016 presidential campaign.
These charges against Mr. Comey signify a direct challenge to the Justice Department’s long-standing tradition of political independence, as it directly targeted a seasoned government and law enforcement official whom President Trump had publicly declared an adversary.
Below is a detailed timeline illustrating the key developments in their strained relationship:
2016: The Hillary Clinton Email Controversy
In July of that year, then-F.B.I. Director Comey controversially recommended against bringing criminal charges against Hillary Clinton concerning her use of a private email server as Secretary of State. Presidential candidate Donald Trump vehemently criticized this decision, claiming it exposed a “rigged” system.
Later in October, Comey informed Congress that the F.B.I. had reopened an inquiry into newly discovered emails pertinent to Mrs. Clinton, a move that sent shockwaves through the presidential campaign just weeks before election day.
March 2017: The Russia Investigation Takes Center Stage
Just two months into President Trump’s term, Director Comey publicly confirmed that the F.B.I. was probing potential collusion between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. This announcement brought a criminal investigation perilously close to the White House, with Comey vowing a thorough inquiry, “no matter how long that takes.”
April 2017: A Rapid Deterioration of Trust
Comey alleged that President Trump frequently pressured him, sought personal loyalty, and urged him to publicly exonerate him regarding the Russia inquiry. During a congressional testimony, Comey recounted assuring the President that the investigation was progressing with all due speed.
Shortly thereafter, President Trump criticized Comey on social media, claiming he had given Hillary Clinton “a free pass for many bad deeds!”
May 2017: The Dramatic Firing of Director Comey
In a stunning move, President Trump abruptly dismissed James Comey from his role as F.B.I. director. Trump justified the firing by claiming a loss of public trust in the agency and criticizing Comey’s management of the Clinton email investigation—an inquiry from which Trump had, ironically, benefited politically and for which he had previously praised Comey’s “guts.”
Comey reportedly learned of his firing during a visit to an F.B.I. field office in Los Angeles. He initially believed the news scrolling across television screens in the background was a joke.
Only days following the termination, Trump reportedly told Russian officials in the Oval Office that Comey “was crazy, a real nut job.”
June 2017: Comey’s Explosive Congressional Testimony
During a highly anticipated appearance before a Senate committee, Comey directly accused President Trump of lying to the American public. He asserted that Trump’s claims of a chaotic F.B.I. and agents’ lost confidence were simply false.
In his powerful opening statement, Comey declared, “Those were lies, plain and simple.”
April 2018: A Tell-All Memoir Reveals ‘A Higher Loyalty’
In his revealing memoir, “A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership,” Comey characterized the Trump presidency as a destructive “forest fire” that gravely threatened America’s foundational norms and traditions.
Comey sharply criticized Trump’s character, writing, “This president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values. His leadership is transactional, ego driven and about personal loyalty.”
September 2020: Defending the Russia Inquiry Before Congress
As President Trump sought re-election, Senate Republicans summoned Comey to testify, aiming to discredit the Russia investigation. Comey staunchly defended the inquiry, affirming to lawmakers that “In the main, it was done by the book, it was appropriate and it was essential that it be done.”
May 2025: Controversial Social Media Post Sparks Outcry
Months after Trump’s return to the White House, Comey posted a social media photo of seashells arranged to form “86 47.” This phrase, often used by Trump’s critics in protests, signified “to dismiss or remove” someone.
Comey swiftly deleted the post, stating he was unaware of its association with violence. The Secret Service subsequently questioned him about it. Two months later, Comey was subjected to surveillance, with law enforcement tracking his car and cellphone—tactics typically reserved for individuals posing an active threat.
September 2025: Comey Faces Federal Indictment
A federal grand jury officially indicted Comey on charges of making a false statement and obstruction of a congressional proceeding, stemming from his September 2020 testimony before a Senate committee.
This indictment proceeded despite objections from career prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia, who deemed the evidence insufficient. Their concerns were overridden by Lindsey Halligan, an official handpicked by President Trump to lead the office just days prior.
In a public video statement, Comey maintained his innocence, expressing his readiness for trial and stating, “We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either.” President Trump reacted on his Truth Social platform, exclaiming: “JUSTICE IN AMERICA!”