James Comey Faces Third Criminal Charge, Alleging Unauthorized Disclosure of National Security Information
The former FBI director is accused of transmitting classified material to a journalist in 2016, in the latest legal action that critics allege is part of a politically motivated campaign.
Former FBI Director James Comey has been criminally charged for a third time, with the Justice Department filing a two-count criminal information alleging he unlawfully transmitted national security information to a journalist in October 2016. This method allows prosecutors to file charges without a grand jury indictment, though Comey would need to waive his right to a grand jury for the government to proceed with trying him on these charges.
The charges were filed on October 5, just days before the statute of limitations would have expired for the alleged disclosure. Comey has denied the allegations, calling the case an "appalling abuse of the Department of Justice."
This marks the third instance of legal action against Comey. He was previously indicted in September 2025 on allegations of lying to Congress, and again this past spring for an alleged threat against former President Donald Trump, which involved arranging seashells to spell "86 47." The first set of charges was dismissed after a judge ruled the prosecuting U.S. attorney had been illegally appointed. Comey is reportedly seeking to have the second set of charges dismissed.
Comey, who was fired by Trump as FBI director in 2017, has been a frequent target of political opposition from Trump. The current charges have been viewed by critics as a continuation of efforts to prosecute political adversaries. The Trump administration has stated its intention to seek a grand jury indictment in this latest case, raising concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department.