Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted by Virginia Grand Jury on Obstruction and False Statements

A federal grand jury in Virginia indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two felony counts: obstruction of justice and making a false statement to Congress, tied to his September 2020 testimony about the FBI’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and possible links to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

The indictment, filed in Alexandria, is sparse on details but accuses Comey of willfully and knowingly making false statements and of corruptly attempting to influence the inquiry before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The document is signed by Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s former personal lawyer who has been serving as the Eastern District of Virginia’s interim U.S. attorney since Monday after the previous U.S. attorney resigned under pressure for failing to charge Comey. Halligan said the charges represent a breach of the public trust and emphasized accountability for executive leadership in congressional oversight.

The false-statement count concerns Comey’s assertion that he did not authorize anyone at the FBI to speak to the media about investigations related to Trump or Hillary Clinton. Comey’s former deputy, Andrew McCabe, has indicated that such a leak occurred. The indictment says Comey "did willfully and knowingly make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement." The second count alleges he "did corruptly endeavor to influence, obstruct and impede the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry" before the Senate Judiciary Committee by making false and misleading statements; the document does not specify the exact instances. Prosecutors had sought a third count for additional false statements, but the grand jury rejected it. The indictment narrowly met a Sept. 30 deadline to avoid a statute-of-limitations bar on charges.

Comey is scheduled to appear for arraignment Oct. 9 before U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff. He will be represented by Patrick Fitzgerald, a longtime ally who previously achieved high-profile wins against prominent politicians. "Jim Comey denies the charges filed today in their entirety," Fitzgerald said. "We look forward to vindicating him in the courtroom."

In a video posted on Instagram after the indictment, Comey said he would not fear and urged the public to stay the course. He told viewers that there are costs to standing up to political opponents but that Americans should not live "on their knees" and should pursue accountability through the court system.

Reaction was swift. Trump celebrated on Truth Social, calling the indictment "JUSTICE IN AMERICA" and casting Comey as one of the worst enemies of the country. Bondi said no one is above the law and that the case underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to accountability for powerful figures who mislead the public. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called it a "sad, sad day for our justice system," suggesting Trump’s push to prosecute opponents has influenced prosecutors.

News of the indictment also touched family ties connected to the case. Comey’s son-in-law, Troy Edwards, who had worked in the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned from his position the day after the indictment. The broader political context remains heated as both parties weigh the implications for accountability and the use of law enforcement tools in partisan fights.