In brief
Former FBI head James Comey now faces federal charges for allegedly leaking classified material to the New York Times in 2016. The indictment follows earlier accusations of obstruction and alleged threats toward former President Trump. Comey’s lawyers claim the case is politically motivated and likely exceeds the ten‑year statute of limitations. Charges were filed by a criminal information rather than a grand jury indictment, adding to the controversy over Justice Department actions during the Trump era.
James Comey Charged for Third Time Over Alleged Leak
Federal prosecutors have filed a criminal information against ex‑FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of disclosing national‑defense information to the New York Times in October 2016 while he led the bureau.
This marks the third attempt by the Justice Department to bring charges against Comey, following a 2025 indictment for obstructing congressional testimony and a 2026 case alleging a threatening Instagram post.
The charges stem from an alleged leak of classified material, but Comey’s lawyers say the case was investigated twice before the first Trump administration and no charges were recommended then.
Comey denied wrongdoing in a video posted on Substack, calling the indictment a politically driven misuse of the Department of Justice and affirming his belief in an independent federal judiciary.
Prosecutors distinguish the current filing as a criminal information, which bypasses a grand jury, while a prior indictment required grand‑jury approval.
A former federal prosecutor noted that the allegations may exceed the ten‑year statute of limitations, bolstering the defense’s motion to dismiss. He also labeled the filing a likely “revenge‑fueled” effort by the Trump campaign to find a prosecutable angle on Comey.
The charges appear amid ongoing lawsuits involving Comey’s daughter, who recently secured a court ruling that she must be reinstated to her federal prosecutor position after an alleged politically motivated dismissal.
