The Comey indictment triggers fierce political reactions and debate nationally

James Comey, the former FBI director, was charged with obstruction and perjury crimes on Thursday, triggering fierce reactions across the country and the political spectrum.

The accusations, announced by the newly appointed American lawyer, Lindsey Halligan, in the Virginia Oriental District, concern his testimony in 2020 before the Senate judicial committee.

Halligan supervised the accusation act as a question of responsibility, declaring it “a violation of public confidence at an extraordinary level” and stressing that “no one is above the law”.

If he is found guilty, Comey risks up to five years in prison.

Former FBI director James Comey, FBI director Kash Patel and President Donald Trump. (Reuters / Getty)

By trying to obtain the indictment of Comey, the American prosecutors have a short window – and a case difficult to make

The announcement sparked a fastest reaction from the president and his allies.

President Donald Trump has long asked for the pursuit of Comey since his dismissal in 2017 and deteriorated against the investigation in Russia that he supervised.

Trump celebrated the news with a triumphant article on his Truth social account.

“Justice in America! One of the worst human beings to which this country has ever been exposed is James Comey, the former corrupt leader of the FBI. Today, he was charged by a large jury on two counts for various illegal and illegal acts. He has been so bad for our country, for so long, and is now very keen on his crimes against our nation.

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The American prosecutor General Pam Bondi talks to a press conference at the DEA headquarters on July 15, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Images Alex Wong / Getty)

The Attorney General Pam Bondi also published a net declaration on X declaring: “No one is above the law. The American people deserves justice after years of lies and political interference.”

The director of the FBI, Kash Patel, amplified this opinion and launched the indictment in the context of a broader effort to restore confidence in the office.

“Today, your FBI has taken another step in its promise of full responsibility,” he wrote.

“For too long, corrupt leaders has armed the application of federal laws, damaging the proud institutions once and eroding public confidence. Under my management, this FBI will face the problem on the front. No one is above the law.”

American senator John Cornyn responded by noting the seriousness of Comey offenses.

“Although our legal system provides for the presumption of innocence, Comey’s responsibility for FBI abuses during the first term Trump has been expected for a long time,” he said. “These accusations are serious crimes, especially if they are committed by the head of the main agency for the application of the law of our country, and there must be consequences for crimes.”

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Senator Tim Kaine, D-VA., Is expressed during an audience of the Senate foreign relations committee in Washington, DC on April 27, 2021. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The chief of staff Stephen Miller described this as “a long-awaited correction to years of corruption and concealment”, while the economic adviser Peter Navarro said that he had proven that “justice remained that justice was not denied”.

Democrats condemned accusations as politically motivated.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) denounced what he called a “malicious prosecution”, reminding journalists that Trump had previously dismissed a prosecutor who refused to carry “frivolous accusations”.

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), vice-president of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued an even clearer reprimand.

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“This type of interference is a dangerous abuse of power,” he warned. “By ousting an independent prosecutor respected and replacing it with a supporting partisan loyalist, Trump undermines one of the most important American lawyers’ offices in the country and erodes the rule of law itself.”

Republican representative Don Bacon, from Nebraska – who announced earlier this year that he would not present himself to re -election in 2026 – used the term “lawyer”.

“Lawfare undermines our big country. It did not start in January, but it did not end either. Continuous escalation will only hurt us,” said the Congress member in an article on X. “Comey gets his hands with regard to the law.

Alex Nitzberg of Fox News Digital contributed to this report