US Department of Justice Files New Indictment Against Former FBI Director James Comey

The US Department of Justice has filed a new indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, charging him with unauthorized handling of classified national security information dating back to October 2016. Court documents unsealed in the US District Court in Washington outline the charges.

According to reports, this marks the third time in 13 months that the administration of President Donald Trump has attempted to prosecute Comey, who became a vocal critic of the president following his firing in 2017.

The indictment alleges that Comey intentionally transmitted classified material to unauthorized individuals around October 4 and 5, 2016. Prosecutors point to a news report published at the time regarding unprecedented surveillance powers used against Yahoo email accounts. According to the prosecution, Comey sought to correct a previous Reuters report and directed subordinates to speak with journalists, thereby allegedly leaking classified data.

Defense attorneys are seeking to dismiss the case, arguing that the matter was thoroughly investigated twice previously—including during Trump's first term—without leading to charges. The defense also contends that the statute of limitations has expired, nearly a decade after the events, and that the prosecution failed to secure the required grand jury indictment.

Comey released a video statement on social media vowing to fight the allegations. "I am still innocent, and I am still not afraid of these people," Comey said, calling the case a troubling abuse of Department of Justice powers.

The legal action comes amid heightened scrutiny over politically sensitive moves by the Justice Department. The announcement followed a federal judge's ruling in New York that Maureen Comey, James Comey's daughter and a former federal prosecutor, was wrongfully terminated by the administration.