Comey Charged with Federal Crime
On Thursday, James Comey made history as the first former FBI director to face federal charges.
This fact seems to be one point on which there’s near-universal agreement.
For some, the two-count indictment is a long-overdue accountability moment for a key figure in the now-uneventful Russian investigation.
For others, it’s viewed as yet another act in President Donald Trump’s vendetta.
There are valid concerns about the targeting of political foes, especially as Attorney General Pam Bondy recently expressed frustration over Comey not being indicted.
However, Comey himself isn’t exactly “Mr. Clean.” He discussed in his book the missteps he took. Leaving aside his role in the Russian probe, he seemed to let go of any pretense of ethics once he was let go by Trump.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz accused Comey of being the leaker in violation of FBI policies in handling internal memos.
On his way out, Comey allegedly deleted sensitive materials, which contained identifiers for confidential sources.
Though he claimed not to have known he disclosed classified information, Horowitz stated that Comey engaged in “fraudulent disclosure of confidential investigative information” to achieve outcomes he wanted.
Horowitz added that Comey sets “dangerous examples” for the thousands of current and former FBI employees.
Comey later confessed to asking his friend, Columbia Law Professor Daniel Richman, to leak details to the New York Times.
Former FBI official Andrew McCabe said Comey instructed him to leak information as well, a claim Comey has denied under oath.
James Baker, the agency’s legal counsel and close adviser, mentioned that he believed he had been directed to do so by Comey.
This raises an obvious question: Who is telling the truth?
The legal proceedings in Washington are certainly captivating. The potential trial concerning leaks feels even more unsettling when you consider that the city is saturated with them.
The Department of Justice is often criticized for leaks that have substantial repercussions for individuals.
Now, the former FBI chief is on trial for allegedly being both a leaker and a liar.
One person likely watching closely is Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser.
Comey faces charges of making false statements and obstructing Congress. The first charge is precisely what Comey accused Flynn of.
He took to speaking engagements to describe how he secured charges against Flynn for false statements, with audiences cheering him on.
Interestingly, the agents who interviewed Flynn didn’t believe he had lied intentionally, yet Comey pushed forward with the accusations anyway.
Now, the tables have turned as Comey finds himself facing similar accusations.
He does so as someone who has admitted to improper actions that included leaking information.
Comey might still have some advantages. He’s likely to be judged by a pool of liberal-leaning judges and is generally adept at navigating legal waters.
This may explain his bold videotaped message essentially saying, “Bring it” as he prepares for court.
While it’s often challenging to prove perjury or false statements, especially with vague language, Comey’s assertions are neither ambiguous nor subtle.
He has consistently claimed he never asked anyone at the FBI to leak information, and now it’s a matter of verifying that claim.
Comey continues to face strong sentiments—both positive and negative—from different parts of society.
This moment is illustrative of the very environment he helped shape. In fact, this charge comes 50 years after John Mitchell, the only other Attorney General convicted of a similar crime involving false statements and obstruction during the Watergate scandal.
Now, a man once celebrated for prosecuting Michael Flynn is staring down the barrel of the same accusations.
Whether this is justice or irony, Comey is now set to face the court.
