Everything we know about the federal judge assigned to the James Comey affair

A federal judge appointed by former president Joe Biden was responsible for chairing the prosecution by the Ministry of Justice of the former FBI director, James Comey, who is accused of lying to the Congress.

Justice Michael Nachmanoff of the American District Court for the Virginia Oriental District brought an indictment for October 9 in the case involving one of President Donald Trump’s main political enemies.

Nachmanoff is a former public defender, who, according to lawyer William Shipipley, is a sign that he may not be an “activist progressive judge”. Shipley, a former longtime federal prosecutor who defended dozens of defendants on January 6, said in a social media position that Nachmanoff could be the “best potential draw” of the judges appointed by Biden of the district.

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American district judge Michael Nachmanoff testifies during an audience of appointment to the Senate on the Judicial Committee in Washington, DC, on July 28, 2021, in this managerial. (Senate / American document via Reuters)

“He has no context that suggests” progressive “activism as is the case for many district judges appointed by Biden, in particular those of the last 2 years of his administrator,” wrote Shipley.

Nachmanoff was raised in Virginia and frequented the University of Virginia School of Law.

He was confirmed as a judge in the Senate in 2021 with the support of all the Democrats and the three Republicans: meaning. Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska.

The former FBI director, James Comey, appears for an interview on “20/20” of ABC, broadcast on April 15, 2018. (Ralph Alswang / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

In a lawsuit brought against the Trump administration this year by a dismissed doctor, Nachmanoff fell on the side of the administration by authorizing the termination of the CIA of Dr Terry Adirim, who played a role in the mandate of the vaccines under the Biden administration. The judge’s involvement in this case was reported for the first time by Politico.

Trump said on Friday that “Croooked Joe Biden was appointed judge” may well increase for Comey.

Trump replies that Comey the indictment concerns justice or revenge

President Donald Trump speaks during a hearing of the Commission of Religious Freedom at the Bible Museum on September 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP photo / Alex Brandon)

“(Comey) has just been attributed to a judge appointed by Joe Biden of Joe Biden, so he left very good,” wrote Trump on Truth Social.

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Comey faces an accusation of making a false statement to the Congress and an accusation of obstruction to justice. He denied allegations in a statement through his lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald, former American lawyer and special advisor.

“Jim Comey denies the accusations posted today in their entirety. We are impatient to justify him in the courtroom,” said Fitzgerald.

David Spunt contributed to this report.

Publisher’s note: This article was updated to clarify that when Trump used the “Croooked Joe Biden” sentence, he referred to his nickname by President Biden, not to judge Nachmanoff.