James Comey insists he is “innocent” following charges over Russiagate hoax
Former FBI Director James Comey has vowed to fight criminal charges of lying to Congress and obstruction of justice, describing himself as a victim of political retribution by President Donald Trump.
In a video statement posted on social media Thursday night, Comey said his family had long expected there would be “costs to standing up to Donald Trump.”
“We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either,” he said. “Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant. And she’s right.”
Comey urged Americans not to be “afraid” and to continue resisting Trump politically. “I’m not afraid. And I hope you’re not either. I hope instead you are engaged, you are paying attention, and you will vote like your beloved country depends upon it – which it does,” he said.
The indictment, returned just before the expiration of the five-year statute of limitations, stems from Comey’s September 30, 2020, testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee about Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s probe into allegations of Trump campaign “collusion” with Russia.
According to the Justice Department, Comey falsely told senators he had never authorized leaks to the media about the Trump investigation or the probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. The charges accuse him of both making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
“My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I’m innocent,” Comey insisted. “So let’s have a trial. And keep the faith.”
Comey, who led the FBI from 2013 until Trump fired him in 2017, faces up to five years in prison if convicted on both counts. According to CNN, he is expected to surrender and make an initial appearance in the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday.
