A federal grand jury in the US state of Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two charges related to his testimony to Congress.
Mr. Comey, who has long drawn US President Donald Trump's criticism, is accused of lying to Congress during his September 2020 testimony over whether he authorized the leak of classified information to the media.
In response to the indictment, Mr. Comey declared himself innocent and expressed confidence in the federal judicial system.
The indictment comes just days after Trump urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate his political adversaries more aggressively, including Mr. Comey.
The probe is being led by Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who recently took over the case after the previous prosecutor was dismissed by the Trump administration.
Comey is scheduled for arraignment on October 9 in Alexandria, Virginia, where the charges against him will be formally read. He faces a total of two charges: one count of making false statements and another for obstruction of justice.
The charges stem from Comey's claim during his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had not authorized anyone at the FBI to act as a source for news reports regarding his interactions with Trump related to the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
While the Justice Department initially considered three charges against Comey, only two were deemed to have sufficient evidence for prosecution.
This indictment marks a pivotal moment, as Comey becomes the first former FBI director to be charged with a crime. Proponents of the indictment argue it reflects a commitment to accountability regarding power abuses, while opponents see it as a politically motivated attack.
Legal experts suggest the case poses challenges for prosecutors as it ultimately may depend on witness credibility. The public and legal ramifications could be significant, further entwining the judiciary with political narratives as Trump continues to voice frustrations about the timing and nature of prosecutions against his critics.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the charges, labeling them a disgraceful attack on the rule of law and vowing accountability for any implicated in corruption.
Comey’s tenure as FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 was marked by controversies, notably the inquiry into Hillary Clinton’s email practices just weeks before the 2016 election. His eventual dismissal by Trump amidst an investigation into Russian meddling remains a contentious aspect of U.S. political history.
Amid continued scrutiny and political tensions, the ramifications of this indictment are likely to unfold in the public eye, impacting perceptions of justice in the current political landscape.
