James Comey, the former director of the FBI, has been indicted on two criminal charges: making false statements and obstruction related to his 2020 congressional testimony. The indictment follows public pressure from former President Donald Trump, who called for the Justice Department to prosecute Comey and other political opponents.
The charges allege that Comey obstructed a congressional investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and made false statements about not authorizing an FBI employee to act as an anonymous source, violating U.S. law. The case is currently at the indictment stage, with Comey presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
In response to the indictment, Comey released a brief video statement on his Instagram, affirming his innocence and confidence in the federal judicial system. He emphasized the personal and familial costs he has endured for standing against Donald Trump but expressed a steadfast refusal to live in fear or submission. Comey urged citizens to stay engaged and vote, framing fear as a “tool of a tyrant.”
Separately, Troy Edwards Jr., Comey’s son-in-law and a national security prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned from his position reportedly due to conflicts arising from the indictment.
The indictment was handed down by a federal grand jury on September 25, 2025, and comes amid heightened political tensions and scrutiny of former Trump administration figures. It has drawn statements from officials including Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director Patel, underscoring the Justice Department’s actions regarding the case.
This legal development continues to captivate Washington, reflecting the ongoing fallout from politically charged investigations and the enduring controversies surrounding James Comey’s tenure at the FBI.