DOJ Confirms Indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey, Sets October Arraignment Date

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially confirmed that former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to false statements made to Congress about the FBI’s handling of the Trump–Russia investigation. The announcement marks a stunning chapter in a years-long saga that has divided Washington and reshaped public trust in federal law enforcement.

According to court filings unsealed Thursday evening, Comey is set to appear for arraignment on October 9 in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. A summons has been issued ordering him to appear at 10 a.m. that morning. The DOJ clarified that no arrest warrant had been issued, meaning Comey will not be taken into custody prior to the hearing.

Initially, officials expected Comey to surrender voluntarily by Friday, according to CNN, but court records indicate that prosecutors opted to proceed through formal summons instead.

Trump Celebrates, Calls Comey a “Dirty Cop”

Former President Donald Trump quickly reacted to the news on his Truth Social platform, hailing the indictment as long overdue accountability.

“Whether you like Corrupt James Comey or not—and I can’t imagine too many people liking him—HE LIED!” Trump wrote. “It’s not a complicated lie; it’s a simple but IMPORTANT one. There’s no way he can talk his way out of this one.”

Comey, who has long been one of Trump’s fiercest critics, released a defiant video statement on Instagram hours later, vowing to fight the charges and accusing the administration of political retribution.

“My family and I have long understood the costs of standing up to Donald Trump,” Comey said. “We couldn’t imagine living any other way. We will not live on our knees—and neither should you. Fear is the tool of tyrants.”

He added, “My heart breaks for the Department of Justice, but I have confidence in the federal courts. I am innocent. Let’s go to trial.”

Charges Stem from 2020 Testimony

The indictment alleges that Comey lied under oath during his September 30, 2020, congressional testimony about “Crossfire Hurricane,” the FBI’s internal investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Prosecutors claim that Comey falsely stated he had never authorized anyone at the FBI to serve as an anonymous source for the media, a claim they say was disproven by internal communications and testimony from former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who told investigators he had Comey’s approval to speak with reporters.

In a public statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the case reflects the DOJ’s commitment to restoring integrity and public confidence.

“No one is above the law,” Bondi said. “This indictment reaffirms that those who misuse positions of power or mislead the American people will face consequences. We will follow the facts wherever they lead.”

FBI Leadership Responds

FBI Director Kash Patel also released a statement acknowledging the indictment and pledging continued reform within the Bureau.

“Today, your FBI took another step toward full accountability,” Patel said. “For too long, corrupt leadership weaponized law enforcement and undermined trust. Under my leadership, the Bureau will confront this history openly. The Comey era represented one of the darkest chapters in our history—the misuse of investigative power for political ends.”

Patel added that the Bureau remains committed to “rebuilding trust with the American people” and ensuring that “everyone, no matter their rank or reputation, is held accountable.”

A Legacy of Controversy

Comey’s career has been marked by both acclaim and criticism. Appointed FBI Director by President Barack Obama in 2013, he oversaw two of the most politically explosive investigations in modern history: the 2016 inquiry into Hillary Clinton’s private email server and the counterintelligence probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

His handling of the Clinton case drew intense backlash from Democrats, who blamed his public statements shortly before the 2016 election for damaging Clinton’s campaign. Republicans, meanwhile, accused Comey of leading a politically motivated investigation into Trump based on questionable intelligence.

Trump fired Comey in May 2017, a decision that later became central to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible obstruction of justice by the White House.

After leaving office, Comey became a vocal critic of Trump, publishing a memoir, giving paid speeches, and frequently commenting on ongoing investigations involving the former president.

A Political and Legal Earthquake

The indictment of a former FBI director is an extraordinary event that has sent shockwaves through Washington. Legal experts note that such prosecutions are exceedingly rare and will likely reignite long-standing debates about the politicization of the Justice Department.

Supporters of Comey view the charges as an act of political vengeance designed to punish one of Trump’s most prominent adversaries. Critics, however, see the indictment as long-overdue justice for an official they say misused his office to wage political warfare under the guise of law enforcement.

Comey’s arraignment on October 9 is expected to draw intense national attention, setting the stage for what could become one of the most consequential trials in modern political history.