Former FBI Director James Comey Pleads “Not Guilty” To Federal Charges Of Making False Statements To Congress
on Oct 08, 2025
Ex-FBI Director Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Charges
Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded “not guilty” Wednesday (October 8) on charges of making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
Comey’s attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, entered a plea on his behalf in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.
Fitzgerald stated that he would move to have the case dismissed, arguing that his client, an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, is being “unfairly” politically targeted.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Comey last month over testimony he gave to Congress in 2020 when he stated that he had not authorized leaks to the media regarding the Donald Trump Russia investigation or a separate inquiry involving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
If convicted, Comey faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on both counts. The trial is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2026.
Who Is James Comey?
Comey served as head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017. He was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2013.
Before his time at the FBI, Comey served as U.S. Deputy Attorney General under President George W. Bush and as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
In May 2017, Trump dismissed Comey, a move that drew controversy and led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Following his firing, Comey became an outspoken critic of Trump.
The President has insisted that the most recent charges are not politically motivated, but about holding Comey accountable.
“It’s about justice. He lied, he lied a lot,” Trump told reporters outside the White House in September.
President Trump Pushes AG Pam Bondi To Charge Comey
Last month (September 20), President Trump publicly called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute Comey.
Bondi faced intense questioning from Democrats during a recent confirmation hearing amid growing concerns that the Justice Department is being used as a tool to target the President’s perceived political opponents.
“I took office with two main goals: to end the weaponization of justice and return the department to its core mission of fighting violent crime,” Bondi told lawmakers. “While there is more work to do, I believe in eight short months we have made tremendous progress towards those ends.”
Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar questioned Bondi about her commitment during the hearing to maintain the Justice Department’s independence and to keep politics out of prosecutorial decisions.
“I absolutely have upheld that commitment, senator. I pledged that I would end the weaponization also, of the Justice Department, and that America would once again have a one-tier system of justice for all, and that is what we are doing in this country,” Bondi said.
Following Comey’s indictment, Bondi wrote that “no one is above the law,” especially those in positions of high power.
No one is above the law. 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.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) September 25, 2025
