James Comey Indicted on Two Charges Amid Controversial Investigations

Wed Oct 22 2025 06:39:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Former FBI Director James Comey faces indictment over allegations of lying to Congress, adding another controversial chapter to his tumultuous relationship with Donald Trump and US political affairs.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on two charges involving false statements and obstruction of justice related to his testimony before Congress in September 2020. Comey is accused of misleading the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the authorization of leaked information. The indictment reflects ongoing tensions within US political circles, particularly between Comey and critiques stemming from Donald Trump, who recently called for increased investigations into his political adversaries. Comey's arraignment is scheduled for October 9, with potential imprisonment of up to five years if convicted.

A federal grand jury in Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two charges related to his testimony before Congress. The indictment stems from accusations of lying during his September 2020 testimony about whether he authorized the leak of classified information to the media.

Comey, a focal point of criticism from former President Donald Trump, maintains his innocence, expressing confidence in the federal judicial system. This latest development follows Trump's recent call for aggressive investigations into his political opponents, including Comey.

The investigation is being led by Lindsey Halligan, the newly appointed US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who took over from a previous Trump administration appointee shortly before the indictment was issued. The formal arraignment for Comey is set for October 9 in Alexandria, Virginia.

The charges include making false statements and obstruction of justice related to his communications with the Senate Judiciary Committee. The first charge revolves around Comey's statements denying authorization of an anonymous source regarding an inquiry into potential Russian interference in the 2016 election. The second charge alleges that he attempted to influence the investigation through these false statements.

Comey is the first former FBI director to be indicted for a crime and faces a possible five-year prison term if found guilty. His legal representative has stated they are prepared to defend him in court.

In a video statement, Comey emphasized his commitment to innocence and readiness for a trial, criticizing Trump's attempts to undermine him. Meanwhile, former federal prosecutor Laurie Levenson acknowledged the challenges prosecutors may face due to the nature of the case involving differing testimonies.

Key political reactions have emerged, with Democrats condemning the indictment as a politically motivated attack. Comey served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017, and his tenure remains significant due to the controversies surrounding investigations into Hillary Clinton and the Trump campaign's handling of Russian interference.