Judicial Watch Statement on the Indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton made the following statement regarding the indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey: 

“Justice and accountability have finally moved forward tonight with the indictment of James Comey on charges of making a false statement and obstruction of justice. Comey (in conspiracy with Hillary and Obama, helped launch smear campaigns and spy operations against the innocent Donald J. Trump) has been protected for far too long by a corrupt Justice Department and FBI. Comey’s crimes are legion, but this indictment is one small step toward holding accountable those who engaged in the worst political abuse in the history of the country. More justice must come.”

In August, Judicial Watch sued the Justice Department for all records regarding the FBI, under then-Director James Comey, initiating an investigation of then-2016 presidential candidate Donald Trump. 

In July 2019, Judicial Watch uncovered FBI records, showing that in June 2017, a month after Comey was fired by President Donald Trump, FBI agents visited his home and collected “as evidence” four memos that allegedly detail conversations he had with President Trump.

In August 2018, a federal court ordered the Justice Department to preserve federal records located in Comey’s personal email accounts. 

In May 2018, emails uncovered by Judicial Watch showed Comey was advised by FBI officials in May 2017 to consult with Special Counsel Robert Mueller prior to testifying before any congressional committees regarding Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and his firing as FBI director.

In February 2018, in response to a Judicial Watch lawsuit, the FBI agreed to review 16,750 pages of Comey’s records that were archived after he was dismissed.  

In January 2018, a Judicial Watch lawsuit forced the FBI to turn over to the court for in camera, non-public review former Comey’s memos allegedly detailing conversations he had with President Donald Trump.

In November 2017, the Justice Department compared Comey to Wikileaks. After Comey was fired by President Trump on May 9, 2017, he gave The New York Times a February 14, 2017, memorandum written about a one-on-one conversation he had with President Trump regarding former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. 

 Judicial Watch, in June 2016, sent Acting FBI Director Andrew G. McCabe a warning letter concerning the FBI’s legal responsibility under the Federal Records Act (FRA) to recover records, including memos Comey subsequently leaked to the media, unlawfully removed from the Bureau by Comey.

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