Ex-FBI Chief James Comey Faces Federal Charges for Third Time

Federal prosecutors have initiated steps to charge former FBI Director James Comey with leaking national defense information, according to a court filing. This marks the third instance in which the Justice Department has moved to bring criminal charges against Comey, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump.

The court filing provides limited details on the two counts. However, Comey's lawyers stated in separate court documents that the case is related to an alleged disclosure of classified information to The New York Times in October 2016, during his tenure as FBI director.

Comey has denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges an "appalling abuse" in a video posted on Substack. "Nothing’s changed with me - I'm still innocent, I'm still not afraid of these people and I still believe the independent federal judiciary," he said.

His attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, asserted that two distinct teams of prosecutors had previously investigated the alleged disclosure to The New York Times. "Both times the Government determined that no charges should be brought against anyone," Fitzgerald stated, adding that the current court filing "purports to charge Mr Comey with crimes that he did not commit."

The charges were brought in Washington D.C. through a criminal information, a formal charging document filed directly by a prosecutor, rather than a criminal indictment which requires grand jury approval.

Comey was dismissed by Trump during his first term following the opening of an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. Since his dismissal, Trump has repeatedly called for Comey's prosecution, with these charges representing the administration's third attempt.

Previously, Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2025 on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. He pleaded not guilty the following month, and the case was dismissed in November of that year.

In April 2026, Comey surrendered to authorities to face charges related to a social media post that prosecutors alleged posed a threat to Trump's life. The case stemmed from a 2025 Instagram post by Comey featuring a photo of seashells arranged to spell "86 47." Prosecutors argued that "eighty-six" is slang for "get rid of," and that the post encouraged violence against Trump. Comey has denied any wrongdoing, stating he was unaware of the numbers' meaning and accusing the prosecution of political motivation. That case remains ongoing.