WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey with lying to Congress and obstruction, alleging that the former FBI director gave false testimony to Congress about his role in investigating efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.
The indictment charges Comey with one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of Congress, charges punishable by up to five years in prison.
The charges come days after President Donald Trump demanded prosecutors use the criminal justice system to punish his political enemies, including Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and California Senator Adam Schiff.
The Comey investigation centers on 2020 testimony he gave before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding FBO missteps in the “Crossfire Hurricane” probe, which had delved into alleged but ultimately unproven collaboration between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
The statute of limitations for the charge of lying to Congress would have expired on Tuesday, five years from the date of his testimony. The matter was investigated in Virginia because Comey testified remotely from his home in that state.
Erik S. Siebert was forced out as U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia by Trump last week. Siebert, a career prosecutor, determined that the evidence that Comey made materially false statements was insufficient to justify charging him. Trump then installed Lindsey Halligan, a former beauty pageant contestant and White House aide with no prosecutorial experience, as the interim replacement.
Trump fired Comey in May 2017. Comey alleged that Trump asked him to "go easy" on former U.S. national security advisor General Mike Flynn, who resigned following reports that he had lied regarding conversations with Russian ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak. Flynn later plead guilty to a felony count of "willfully and knowingly" making false statements to the FBI about the Kislyak communications. Trump issued him a presidential pardon in November 2020.
In a video he posted after his indictment, Comey said: “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial.”
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RRICH69176
Revenge of the egocentric man supposedly leading our country..very sad
Friday, September 26, 2025 Report this
sandy
How is this different from what Biden's administration did to people who had ties to Trump? Contempt of Congress, lying to Congress, lying to the FBI, obstruction of justice, to name some of the charges they were sentenced to prison for. Not saying I think Trump is right but was Biden right?
Friday, September 26, 2025 Report this
san.gander
If convicted it would absolute proof that our country has gone down the authoritarian rabbit hole! Trump himself, by loudly and publicly declaring Comey guilty before a trial has biased the case... and it must be thrown out as politially "tainted".
But, this indictment of Comey has succeeded, at least for a while, to deflect from the real thing that Trump fears - the release of the Epstein files! Trump's conduct as recorded in those files must be so damning, he'll risk a false indictment loss to divert the media's eyes.
Friday, September 26, 2025 Report this
rayfusco68
Sandy,
Can you please identify a specific case that fits your accusations?
Friday, September 26, 2025 Report this
RRICH69176
Sandy, Odd question..it is not different....BOTH....actions are not right...not sure who went to prion under Biden....Trump has been waiting almost 5 years to get even-- this just speaks to his public authoritarianism
Friday, September 26, 2025 Report this
sandy
Steve Bannon was convicted of Contempt of Congress.
Peter Navarro was convicted of Contempt of Congress
Roger Stone convicted of Obstruction of Justice, lying to Congress
Rick Gates pleaded guilty for lying to FBI and conspiracy. Because he plead he only got 45 days.
George Papadopoulos for lying to investigators - 14 days.
Friday, September 26, 2025 Report this
rayfusco68
Sandy,
And they were rightfully convicted, let's see what the outcome of this trial is.
Friday, September 26, 2025 Report this
Lktinsanfran
Unfortunately, one thing is universal. That corruption and lying is prevalent in all parties and governments. I always think back to that wonderful movie by Frank Capra, "Mr. Smith goes to Washington," and think about the candidate, portrayed by Jimmy Stewart, and if he would stand a chance in today's political climate.
Saturday, September 27, 2025 Report this