Mike Johnson Pushes Back Against Jake Tapper Over Comey Indictment, Defends Legal Process

In a tense exchange on CNN’s State of the Union, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) confronted host Jake Tapper over the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, offering a strong defense of the judicial process while dismissing accusations of political interference.

The indictment of Comey has reignited fierce debate in Washington and across the media landscape. Critics have accused the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump of being “weaponized” against political opponents. But Johnson pushed back, reminding Tapper that the charges stemmed from a grand jury — not political pressure from the White House.

Tapper began the interview by posing a hypothetically framed legal question, attempting to separate the current case from its high-profile figures.

“Just looking at the principle at stake here,” Tapper said, “if you remove Comey and Trump from the equation, do you believe it’s acceptable for any president to publicly or privately pressure an attorney general to prosecute a political rival — even to the point of firing a U.S. attorney for not pursuing charges?”

Rather than respond directly to the hypothetical, Johnson focused on the legal process that led to Comey’s indictment.

“I’m glad you brought up the principle,” Johnson said. “That is exactly what’s at issue here. James Comey lied to Congress — that’s perjury. A nonpartisan grand jury reviewed the evidence and decided there was enough to bring charges. That decision wasn’t made by the president or the DOJ, but by citizens sitting on a jury.”

Johnson emphasized the seriousness of perjury, particularly when committed by someone in a position of high public trust.

“When you raise your hand and swear an oath to tell the truth before Congress, that means something,” he said. “And if you break that oath, especially as a former FBI director, there must be consequences. No one should be above the law — not even the top law enforcement official in the country.”

Comey, who served as FBI director from 2013 until his dismissal by then-President Trump in 2017, was a central figure in multiple politically sensitive investigations. Among them was the bureau’s probe into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials — an inquiry internally known as “Crossfire Hurricane.” The indictment now alleges that Comey misled Congress under oath about authorizing FBI officials to act as anonymous sources in media reports related to that investigation.

While Tapper continued to challenge Johnson by raising concerns about potential political motives behind the prosecution, the Speaker remained firm.

“There are certainly political opinions about this, Jake,” Johnson replied, “but the facts are what matter. A grand jury — not a political appointee — reviewed the case. They determined the evidence supported an indictment. That is how the justice system is supposed to work.”

Johnson also turned the conversation toward what he described as broader concerns about the misuse of federal power during the previous administration.

“Let’s not forget James Comey’s role in setting the tone for the DOJ’s weaponization,” Johnson said. “For four years, we saw a justice system being used as a tool against a single individual — Donald Trump. It’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s what happened.”

He added that while some of Comey’s past actions may have escaped legal scrutiny due to expired statutes of limitations, this indictment represented a key opportunity to restore accountability.

“This is not political payback,” Johnson stated. “This is about upholding the rule of law. Comey made public declarations under oath. Those statements were false. And now, finally, the system is responding.”

Tapper remained skeptical, noting the growing chorus of voices on the Left who claim the DOJ under Trump is being used to go after former adversaries. Johnson countered by pointing out the inconsistency in such arguments.

“It’s ironic,” Johnson said, “that critics are shouting about the rule of law only when it applies to their political allies. If this were a Republican FBI director indicted for lying to Congress, those same voices would be demanding prosecution. The standard should be the same — regardless of party.”

Johnson concluded by reinforcing the idea that legal accountability must be impartial and consistent.

“Our institutions only work when the American people believe in them,” he said. “And that belief is only restored when the law is applied fairly, without fear or favor. That’s what’s happening here.”

The exchange served as a sharp reminder of how deeply divided the country remains over the legacy of the Trump years, the role of federal law enforcement, and the enduring question of what justice looks like in a polarized age.