Washington, D.C. – September 26, 2025 – In a stunning development that reignites debates over accountability in the highest echelons of U.S. law enforcement, former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on federal charges stemming from his handling of sensitive information during the Trump-era Russia investigation. Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia unsealed a two-count indictment against Comey on Thursday, accusing him of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The charges center on his September 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where investigators allege he deliberately misled lawmakers about his role in authorizing leaks of personal memos. Those memos, which Comey authored, detailed his private conversations with then-President Donald Trump amid the FBI’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
According to the indictment, Comey falsely denied under oath that he had instructed a friend to share portions of the memos with the media, an action that prosecutors claim was intended to prompt the appointment of a special counsel. This move, they argue, obstructed the committee’s oversight efforts and violated federal laws prohibiting false testimony and interference in official proceedings. Each count carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison if convicted.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, a staunch ally of former President Trump who was appointed to the role earlier this year, announced the charges during a press briefing at the Department of Justice. “This indictment underscores our unwavering commitment to holding all individuals accountable under the law, regardless of their former position or political affiliations,” Bondi stated. “No one is above the justice system, and we will pursue truth and transparency wherever the evidence leads.”
Comey, 64, who served as FBI Director from 2013 until his abrupt firing by Trump in 2017, swiftly responded to the news in a video statement posted to social media. Denying the allegations outright, he described the charges as “politically motivated” and a “baseless attack on my integrity.” Comey, now a private citizen and author, emphasized his long career in public service and vowed to fight the case vigorously. “I have always acted in the best interests of the American people and the rule of law,” he said. “This is nothing more than an attempt to rewrite history.” He plans to surrender voluntarily at a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday morning, where he is expected to enter a not guilty plea.
The indictment arrives amid ongoing partisan tensions over the Russia investigation, which culminated in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s 2019 report finding no evidence of conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia but highlighting instances of potential obstruction by the president. Comey’s memos, leaked to The New York Times in May 2017, played a pivotal role in Mueller’s appointment and have been a flashpoint for critics who accuse Comey of overstepping his authority.
Legal experts are divided on the case’s merits. Some view it as a legitimate pursuit of perjury, pointing to discrepancies in Comey’s testimony identified in subsequent investigations by the DOJ’s Inspector General. Others, including former prosecutors, warn it could set a dangerous precedent for weaponizing the justice system against political adversaries. “This feels like score-settling from the Trump era,” said one anonymous legal analyst familiar with the matter.
Comey’s legal team has not yet commented in detail, but sources close to him indicate they will seek to dismiss the charges on grounds of selective prosecution. A preliminary hearing is anticipated in the coming weeks, with the case likely to draw intense media scrutiny and further polarize public opinion.
