By ED WHITE, Related Press
Former FBI Director James Comey was charged Thursday with crimes linked to his Senate testimony in 2020 about an investigation, a serious strike towards a high-profile determine who has lengthy been the goal of President Donald Trump’s anger.
“Nobody is above the legislation,” Legal professional Common Pamela Bondi mentioned.
The indictment accuses Comey of constructing a false assertion to Congress and obstruction of a legal continuing. He declared his innocence Thursday evening and mentioned, “Let’s have a trial.”
“My household and I’ve recognized for years that there are prices to standing as much as Donald Trump,” Comey mentioned in a video posted to Substack.
Comey, who was FBI director from 2013 to 2017, was fired by Trump throughout the president’s first time period amid the federal government’s probe into allegations of ties between Russian officers and Trump’s 2016 marketing campaign.
Trump talked about Comey final weekend in a social media put up wherein he complained that no costs had been filed towards him but.
What was the Russia probe?
Prosecutors led by particular counsel Robert Mueller didn’t set up that Trump or his associates criminally colluded with Russia in 2016, however they discovered that Trump’s marketing campaign had welcomed Moscow’s help.
Trump and his supporters have known as the investigation a “hoax” regardless of a number of authorities opinions exhibiting Moscow interfered on behalf of the marketing campaign.
The indictment towards Comey accuses him of getting lied to a Senate committee when he mentioned he by no means approved anybody to function an nameless supply to a reporter about an investigation.
Earlier than the fees emerged Thursday, Trump informed reporters that Comey was a “dangerous particular person.” He later reveled in information of the indictment.
“He has been so dangerous for our Nation, for therefore lengthy, and is now in the beginning of being held liable for his crimes towards our Nation,” Trump mentioned on his social media platform.
Comey scorched Trump in a guide
Comey’s disgust for Trump was specified by his 2018 memoir, “A Increased Loyalty.”
“This president is unethical, and untethered to fact and institutional values,” Comey wrote. “His management is transactional, ego pushed and about private loyalty.”
He recalled a non-public assembly with Trump early in his first presidency wherein Trump demanded allegiance. Comey likened it to a Mafia induction.
Earlier this 12 months, the Trump administration mentioned it was investigating a social media put up by Comey that Trump and his allies interpreted as a name for violence towards the president.
In an Instagram put up, Comey wrote “cool shell formation on my seashore stroll” underneath an image of seashells that appeared to kind the shapes for “86 47.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary says 86 is slang that means “to throw out,” “do away with” or “refuse service to.”
Comey deleted the put up and mentioned he didn’t know “some people affiliate these numbers with violence.”
Household ties
Comey’s daughter was a federal prosecutor for 10 years till she was fired in July by the Justice Division. Maurene Comey is suing to get her job again, saying her dismissal was unconstitutional and linked to Trump’s hostility towards her father.
“If a profession prosecutor may be fired with out purpose, worry might seep into the selections of those that stay,” Maurene Comey mentioned in a observe to her colleagues. “Don’t let that occur. Concern is the device of a tyrant, wielded to suppress impartial thought.”
The White Home mentioned the choice got here from Justice Division officers.
Individually, James Comey’s son-in-law, Troy Edwards, resigned Thursday as a federal prosecutor, minutes after the previous FBI director was indicted.
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