Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Thursday on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation.
The indictment marks a stunning reversal for the man who once led the Trump–Russia probe.
A grand jury returned the indictment after a years-long investigation into whether Comey made false statements during his September 30, 2020, testimony about the FBI’s handling of “Crossfire Hurricane,” the original Trump–Russia investigation.
According to prosecutors, Comey falsely testified that he never authorized anyone at the FBI to act as an anonymous source for the media.
However, this claim, the indictment says, was untrue.
He is also accused of obstructing a congressional investigation into the disclosure of sensitive information.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Comey is expected to turn himself in Friday.
Comey’s arraignment is scheduled for October 9 before District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, a Biden appointee.
In a video posted to Instagram, Comey said he and his family had long braced for consequences tied to his clashes with President Donald Trump.
“My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way,” Comey said.
“We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either.
“Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant, and she’s right. But I’m not afraid.”
Comey insisted he was innocent:
“My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system.
“I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”
WATCH:
🚨 BREAKING: Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey responds to his indictment, reading an obvious script
“I’m innocent… I’m not afraid… Let’s have a trial.”
Yes, James. Let’s do that 😏 pic.twitter.com/cDaJebFJ6s
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 26, 2025
His attorney, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, echoed that stance.
“Jim Comey denies the charges filed today in their entirety,” Fitzgerald said.
“We look forward to vindicating him in the courtroom.”
Fitzgerald is a veteran prosecutor who previously led the Valerie Plame CIA leak investigation and secured the conviction of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges.
President Trump, who has long accused Comey of abusing his position to undermine his presidency, celebrated the indictment.
“Whether you like Corrupt James Comey or not, and I can’t imagine too many people liking him, HE LIED!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“It is not a complex lie, it’s a very simple, but IMPORTANT one.
“There is no way he can explain his way out of it.”
Trump said Comey had been “unexpectedly caught” but noted the irony that his case will be overseen by a Biden-appointed judge.
“He knew exactly what he was saying, and that it was a very serious and far-reaching lie for which a very big price must be paid!” Trump added.
If James Comey doesn’t go to prison, our country is in BIG trouble.
Lock him up! pic.twitter.com/Hz9jb0jPUo
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 26, 2025
The indictment comes just as the five-year statute of limitations was about to expire, underscoring the high stakes.
Meanwhile, former CIA Director John Brennan is also under criminal investigation in connection with the origins of the Trump–Russia probe, raising the possibility that more charges could follow.
For Comey, who oversaw both the Hillary Clinton email investigation and the Russia probe before being fired by Trump in 2017, the indictment represents the most serious legal threat of his career.
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