Ex-FBI Head Faces Indictment for Allegedly Lying

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Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged with making a false statement and obstruction in a criminal case filed days after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute the former FBI director and other perceived political enemies.

Prosecutors have been evaluating whether Comey lied to lawmakers during his Sept. 30, 2020, testimony related to the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

The indictment was filed as the White House has taken steps to exert influence in unprecedented ways on the operations of the Justice Department, blurring the line between law and politics for an agency where independence in prosecutorial decision-making is a foundational principle.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged with making a false statement and obstruction in a criminal case. (AAP)

Earlier Thursday, Trump issued an executive order that says a proposed agreement on bringing TikTok under US ownership meets key security concerns, a critical step in allowing TikTok to continue to operate in the United States.

Trump insisted that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has signed off on the agreement, telling reporters “they’re on board.”

Shortly after Comey’s indictment, Trump took to Truth Social in an extraordinary broadside on the character of the former FBI director.

On his social media site, the president called Comey "one of the worst human beings". — On his social media site, the president called Comey “one of the worst human beings”. (Truth Social)

”One of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former corrupt head of the FBI,” he wrote.

“Today he was indicted by a Grand Jury on two felony counts for various illegal and unlawful acts.

“He has been so bad for our country, for so long, and is now at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes against our nation.”

What has Trump said about Comey?

Earlier in the day, Trump was asked about a possible federal indictment of the former FBI director and he said he had “no idea what’s going to happen.”

Over the weekend, he posted on his social network Truth Social a message to Bondi in which he demanded action on investigations related to public officials including Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Trump dislikes Comey because of his investigation into Russian ties to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Law enforcement officials became so concerned by US President Donald Trump's behavior in the days after he fired FBI Director James Comey that they began investigating whether he had been working for Russia against US interests, The New York Times reports. — Trump dislikes Comey because of his investigation into Russian ties to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. (Law enforcement officials became so concerned by US President Donald Trump’s behavior in the days after he fired FBI Director James Comey that they began investigating whether he had been working for Russia against US interests, The New York Times reports.)

The White House press secretary had explained that Trump was merely trying to demand accountability.

Attorney general says ‘no one is above the law’ after former FBI Director James Comey is indicted

Attorney General Pam Bondi made the comment on social media moments after Comey was indicted on charges of making a false statement and obstruction.

“Today’s indictment reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people,” Bondi said on X. “We will follow the facts in this case.”