DOJ officials dismiss rumors of James Comey arrest before indictment

EXCLUSIVE: Top Justice Department officials Tuesday brushed aside rumors that James Comey would be arrested and paraded before the media, providing their remarks on the former FBI director’s trial a day before his scheduled arraignment.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital in an interview at the FBI’s Chicago field office that media reports of a possible camera-ready arrest of Comey, sometimes known as a criminal walk, were mere distractions.

“We make arrests, the FBI makes arrests in every courthouse in this country, every day of the year,” Blanche said, calling rumors about Comey’s situation “gossip.”

COMEY UNKNOWN FOR ALLEGED MISREPRESENTATION AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS PROCEDURES

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel spoke with Fox News Digital during their visit to Chicago. (Screenshot/Fox News Digital)

“Mr. Comey has been ordered to appear, and I hope he does. But the noise coming from MSNBC and retired agents or anonymous anonymous sources about the criminals’ walks is just that,” Blanche said. “It’s just noise.”

ReutersMSNBC and other media outlets have reported in recent days that an FBI official was fired for refusing to participate in a dramatic Comey arrest and organized march. Comey was summoned to a Virginia courthouse on charges of making a false statement to Congress, but it is unclear whether an arrest is also expected.

HOW JAMES COMEY’S ACCUSATION COULD GO SOUTH FOR THE DOJ

Stephen Colbert interviews former FBI Director James Comey on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on May 20, 2025 in New York (left). Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel arrives to testify before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House office building September 17, 2025 in Washington (R). (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images; Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Patel, meanwhile, spoke as part of a visit to the Chicago field office to show support for FBI personnel who participated in “Operation Midway Blitz,” a massive immigration enforcement operation that sparked tensions between city leaders, federal law enforcement and activists.

He called media reports about Comey a “nuisance” to the work of the FBI.

FBI Director Kash Patel visited the FBI Chicago Field Office on October 7, 2025. (Fox News Digital)

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“Major media wants to divert attention and create theater,” Patel said. “We’re not talking about theater. We want to produce our results in court. And that’s what you’re going to see tomorrow begin, the revealing of the details, and it will happen in the judicial process as everyone in America is entitled to, including Mr. Comey, and we want him to have his day in court, and that begins tomorrow.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Comey’s attorney for comment.