Indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey Examined on NBC’s “Meet the Press”

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche discussed the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, highlighting that it involves more than just Comey’s Instagram posts.

Host Kristen Welker pointed out that a grand jury had indicted a former FBI director based on an Instagram post, raising a question about the seriousness of this action. She referenced specific elements from the indictment, suggesting that they could be seen as serious threats toward the President. Her inquiry focused on how such an image could be interpreted as a real threat.

Blanche responded by emphasizing that every case involves thorough investigation. He clarified that the Instagram post was only a part of a larger inquiry conducted by seasoned professionals in law enforcement. Although he could not reveal specifics about the grand jury’s findings, he reassured viewers that the indictment was based on much more than just that single post.

Welker mentioned that Comey seemed puzzled that anyone would interpret the post as violent. She asked Blanche about the evidence needed to prove intent in this case.

Blanche stated that intent can be demonstrated through witnesses and documents. He insisted that this case represents a broader scope of evidence collected over 11 months, not merely a single social media post. He underscored that it was the grand jury—not him—that made the decision to indict Comey.

Welker pressed further, questioning if there were indeed facts that supported the notion of a threat against the President’s life beyond the Instagram post.

Blanche reiterated that the lengthy investigation indicates there are additional facts at play. He argued that, had only the posts been relevant, the inquiry would have concluded faster. Blanche addressed comments regarding the case being arguably unconstitutional, asserting their commitment to proving every element beyond reasonable doubt at trial.

When Welker asked if the public could learn about the other details, Blanche mentioned that this process would unfold during a trial. He explained that the indictment leads to trials where evidence becomes available to the public, affording a clearer understanding of the government’s position against Comey.

Welker made a note about the prevalence of products related to the term in question on Amazon, wondering if sellers might face prosecution by the Department of Justice.

Blanche assured that the situation extends beyond a single incident. He acknowledged that threats against President Trump occur regularly, and the department has taken legal action against many individuals this year for similar offenses. He reaffirmed that the nature of the charges against Comey is not unprecedented.