Former FBI director James Comey indicted on federal charges

Former FBI Director James Comey is facing federal charges after a grand jury indictment alleging false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.

(CNN)- Former FBI Director James Comey is facing federal charges after a grand jury indictment alleging false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. The case centers on Comey’s 2020 testimony before a Senate committee, where he denied authorizing an FBI media leak.

Sen. Ted Cruz pressed Comey during that testimony, asking, “Who’s telling the truth?” Comey responded that he stood by his sworn statements from 2017. Comey has since maintained his innocence, saying, “I’m innocent, so let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”

Legal experts caution the case may be difficult to prosecute. Sources suggested Attorney General Pam Bondi initially had concerns, though she denies that. The indictment itself, just a page and a half long, bears no signatures from career DOJ prosecutors and contains little supporting evidence. One 2018 Inspector General report even criticized Comey’s accuser for “lacking candor.”

Some analysts argue the indictment appears politically motivated, pointing to President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for Bondi to pursue Comey and other adversaries. Trump celebrated the charges as “justice in America,” but critics see the move as payback for Comey’s role in investigating Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Comey remains defiant, telling supporters, “I’m not afraid. Vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does.”