Former FBI director James Comey stated innocent on Wednesday (8) of the accusations of lying to parliamentarians and obstructed a procedure in the US Congress.
Comey disputes the accusations presented last month by a new US Attorney to East District of Virginia, appointed by President Donald Trump after the resignation of his predecessor under pressure. The complaint claims that Comey made a false statement during the interrogation of a senator at a 2020 audience.
When questioned by the judge, the accusations understood, Comey nodded. His lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald-former federal prosecutor of the North District of Illinois-recorded the declaration of innocence and stated that it was “the honor of my life to represent Mr. Comey in this case.”
Free tool
XP Simulator
Learn in 1 minute how much your money can yield
Fitzgerald told the judge that he intends to request the annulment of the accusations, claiming that this is an “unduly vengeful and selective” action.
District Judge Michael Nachmanoff marked the trial for January 5, with a scheduled duration of two to three days.
The presence of the former FBI chief against a federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, marks a decisive moment in Trump’s offensive to bring political opponents to court. Trump dismissed Comey in 2017 when he was conducting an investigation into possible collusion between members of the 2016 presidential campaign and Russia to interfere with the election.
Continues after advertising
“I’m not afraid”
After the accusation was released on September 25, Comey said on Instagram video that “is not afraid.” If convicted, it may face up to five years in prison.
Trump had publicly expressed his desire for the Justice Department to sue Comey a few days before his chosen attorney Lindsey Halligan present the accusations. In a post on social networks, the president asked prosecutor Pam Bondi to act quickly against Comey and others.
“We can no longer wait, this is killing our reputation and credibility. Justice needs to be done, now !!!” wrote Trump on September 20.
Continues after advertising
The president celebrated the accusation on social networks, feeding criticism that the Justice Department would be acting under political influence. In a tense hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democrats questioned whether Bondi and other department leaders were giving in to Trump’s pressure to promote improper processes.
“The Attorney General has been systematically used the country’s leading law enforcement agency to protect President Trump and his allies, and attack his opponents and the American people,” said Democrat Senator Dick Durbin.
Bondi refused to comment on the case, but said the accusation against Comey had no political motivation. “No one is above the law,” he wrote in an X post.
Continues after advertising
The complaint against Comey focuses on his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020. At the time, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz cited previous statements from Comey saying that he never authorized information on investigations related to Hillary Clinton, Democratic candidate in 2016, or Trump. Comey reaffirmed this position.
© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.
