Ex-FBI Chief Comey Pleads Not Guilty — After Trump Called for His Prosecution. This Story Runs Deeper Than You Think
- Cloud 9 News
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Washington, D.C. — October 8, 2025 - Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty Wednesday in federal court to charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation, in a case his legal team decried as a "vindictive political prosecution" driven by President Donald Trump's repeated calls for his accountability.The 65-year-old appeared stoic in a dark suit before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell in Washington, entering the plea during a brief arraignment that lasted less than 15 minutes and drew a media scrum outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse.
Comey, fired by Trump in May 2017 amid the Russia investigation into election interference, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the two felony counts.The indictment, handed down by a grand jury on September 25, accuses him of lying during 2020 congressional testimony about authorizing a third party to anonymously brief reporters on an FBI probe into Hillary Clinton's emails—a matter central to Trump's long-standing grievances against the former director.Prosecutors, led by special counsel Lindsey Halligan under Attorney General Pam Bondi, allege Comey's statements obstructed lawmakers' oversight of the FBI's handling of sensitive leaks.
"This is a politically motivated witch hunt, plain and simple," Comey's attorney, David N. Kelley, told reporters post-hearing, announcing plans to file a motion to dismiss by November 15.A central witness, a former FBI official, reportedly undermined the government's case during pretrial interviews, telling investigators Comey's account aligned with internal records—a potential "fatal flaw" that could derail the prosecution, legal analysts say. Trial is set for January 5, 2026, in what promises to be a high-stakes spectacle revisiting the Trump-Comey feud.
Trump has lambasted Comey for years, branding him the "dirty cop" behind the Russia probe that shadowed his first term and accusing him of orchestrating leaks to undermine his presidency.In a September 2025 rally in Ohio, Trump renewed calls for prosecution, stating, "Comey should be in jail for what he did to our country—lock him up!"—echoing chants from supporters.Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel hailed the indictment as a "milestone in accountability," with Patel posting on X: "Justice delayed is justice denied—no one is above the law."
The case stems from a 2019 Justice Department review of Comey's tenure, which cleared him of major wrongdoing but flagged inconsistencies in his testimony.Critics, including the Brennan Center for Justice, warn it exemplifies the perils of "subservient prosecutors" bending to political pressure, noting Halligan's appointment followed an internal DOJ revolt that necessitated outside counsel.
Democrats rallied to Comey's defense, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling the charges "a blatant abuse of power" and vowing congressional oversight hearings.Former Attorney General Bill Barr, a Trump ally, expressed reservations, telling Fox News the case "smacks of retaliation" and risks tainting the justice system.
Comey, author of the 2018 bestseller A Higher Loyalty, addressed supporters via a pre-recorded video on X, stating, "I've spent my career defending the rule of law—I'll do so again in court."The hearing unfolded amid the government shutdown's ninth day, with federal courthouses operating on skeleton staffs but prioritizing high-profile cases like this one.
As the January trial looms, the proceedings could dominate headlines, forcing a reckoning with the politicization of federal investigations in Trump's second term. For Comey, once hailed as a guardian of integrity, the stakes are profoundly personal: Vindication or a legacy forever scarred by his nemesis's pursuit.
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