Trump reacts to Comey indictment, saying Crossfire Hurricane cast a 'cloud' over the nation
Former President Trump denounces the FBI and the Russia probe as James Comey is indicted on two counts for alleged false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding; arraignment date set for Oct. 9 in Virginia.
A federal grand jury has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two counts, charging false statements and obstruction of a congressional investigation tied to the disclosure of sensitive information during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The indictment, filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges Comey obstructed a congressional proceeding and made a false statement about whether an FBI source was authorized to be anonymous. Comey’s case marks a rare criminal move against a former top FBI official and underscores ongoing political fault lines surrounding the Trump–Russia inquiry.
Comey’s arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 9 in Alexandria, before District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The indictment specifies the charges under 18 U.S.C. 1505, alleging an obstruction of a congressional investigation, and alleges Comey provided a false statement when he claimed he did not authorize someone at the FBI to be an anonymous source.
Image: Split image of James Comey and Donald Trump
The indictment arrives as part of a long-running political clash over the origins and conduct of the Trump–Russia investigation, known inside the FBI as Crossfire Hurricane. The probe was opened on July 31, 2016, by then–Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok, and Donald Trump would go on to fire Comey in May 2017. Days after Comey’s removal, the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller to lead the investigation became a defining moment in the federal pursuit of possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. Mueller’s investigation concluded in March 2019 with no evidence of a criminal conspiracy or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.
In the years since, questions about how the Crossfire Hurricane investigation began and how it was conducted have persisted. A separate inquiry led by Special Counsel John Durham concluded that the FBI failed to act on a Clinton Plan intelligence warning that the bureau could be targeted for political manipulation during the 2016 election, suggesting the investigation’s origins and decision-making were not as clear-cut as proponents once claimed. Durham’s report stop short of exonerating individuals, but argued that the FBI could have approached the information differently and that political considerations may have influenced some investigative paths.
Trump addressed the indictment in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, saying Comey had “placed a cloud over the entire nation” with Crossfire Hurricane and criticizing those involved in the Russia inquiry. “What they did was so terrible and so corrupt,” the former president said. He added that the Russia hoax made it difficult for the country and claimed it “could have caused wars.” Trump also reiterated his stance that the Trump–Russia probe was politically motivated and cited what he described as prior missteps by FBI leadership.
The former president did not limit his critique to Comey. In the interview, he referenced discussions that Brennan, the former CIA director, had become part of the broader controversy surrounding the investigation and suggested Brennan could face charges as part of continuing inquiries. Trump said, “We’ll have to see what happens,” emphasizing that outcomes would depend on the Justice Department’s actions.
Fox News Digital reported earlier that Comey was under criminal investigation by the FBI, a finding that adds to tensions surrounding the inquiry. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement on X saying, “No one is above the law,” adding that the department would “follow the facts in this case.” FBI Director Kash Patel also issued a statement on X, arguing that the bureau has taken steps toward accountability and condemning prior leadership for politicizing law enforcement—an assertion that echoed calls from the Justice Department and other officials to separate investigative work from partisan influence.
The indictment against Comey arrives as the country continues to grapple with the legacy of the Crossfire Hurricane inquiry. While Mueller’s investigation found no criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, the confrontation over the investigation’s origins and handling remains politically charged. Durham’s findings prompted renewed conversations about how intelligence and law enforcement assessments are used to guide investigations during election seasons, even as current authorities stress the importance of upholding the rule of law regardless of political affiliations.
The case against Comey is expected to proceed with further court appearances and testimony as prosecutors present evidence. Officials emphasized that the judicial process will run its course as dictated by the rules of federal procedure, with no one presumed to be above the law. The indictment and related public remarks illustrate the continuing political sensitivity surrounding the FBI, the Justice Department, and the legacy of the 2016 campaign.