Prosecutors indict ex-FBI boss on obstruction over collusion testimony

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(The Center Square) – Prosecutors indicted former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday, alleging that he lied to Congress when he denied claims that he leaked classified documents to a news outlet over the Trump-Russia election interference hoax investigation.

The two-page indictment charges Comey with making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice related to leaked documents to The New York Times.

"No one is above the law," Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X after the indictment was released. "Today's indictment reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case."

Comey denied the charges through his attorney and in a social media post. 

"My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," Comey said in an Instagram video. "But we couldn't imagine ourselves living any other way. We will not live on our knees. And you shouldn't either."

Comey said he wasn't afraid of Trump. He also said that he was innocent.

"My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system andI'm innocent. So let's have a trial and keep the faith," the former FBI boss said in the video. 

The indictment also alleges that Comey made a false statement when he stated that he did not authorize someone at the FBI to be an anonymous source. Prosecutors said that statement was untrue.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the Department of Justice under the Biden administration weaponized federal law enforcement against political opponents.

"For far too long, previous corrupt leadership and their enablers weaponized federal law enforcement, damaging once proud institutions and severely eroding public trust," Patel wrote. "Every day, we continue the fight to earn that trust back, and under my leadership, this FBI will confront the problem head-on. Nowhere was this politicization of law enforcement more blatant than during the Russiagate hoax, a disgraceful chapter in history we continue to investigate and expose."

The Biden administration, Hillary Clinton and others alleged that Trump colluded with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election between Trump and Democratic nominee Clinton. The collusion allegation has since been debunked.

Trump celebrated the indictment.

"One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former Corrupt Head of the FBI," the president wrote on Truth Social. "Today he was indicted by a Grand Jury on two felony counts for various illegal and unlawful acts. He has been so bad for our Country, for so long, and is now at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes against our Nation."

Trump publicly called on Bondi to take action against Comey and other political rivals on Saturday.

"Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, 'same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam 'Shifty' Schiff, Leticia??? They're all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done,'" Trump posted. "There is a GREAT CASE ... We can't delay any longer."

Comey, who was fired by Trump in his first term, also was under federal investigation for posting an image on Instagram in May of seashells in the sand spelling the numbers "8647." The number "86" often is used to refer to getting rid of something, including an individual. Trump is the 47th (and 45th) U.S. president. 

Accompanying the "8647" image was a message Comey captioned the post with: "Cool shell formation on my beach walk…" he wrote.