Overview

• The Justice Department says a grand jury charged the former FBI director with obstructing a congressional investigation and making a false statement tied to his September 2020 Senate testimony.
• Charging documents cite an alleged denial that anyone at the FBI was authorized to serve as an anonymous media source, with reporting indicating prosecutors believe such authorization occurred.
• The case was brought by Lindsey Halligan days after she replaced U.S. attorney Erik Siebert, who reportedly declined to pursue the matter before his departure.
• President Trump publicly urged action and celebrated the indictment on Truth Social, while Comey posted a video asserting, “I am innocent,” and saying he has no fear.
• Proceedings are at an early stage with potential prison exposure up to five years, and several outlets note the filing came just before a statute-of-limitations deadline.