Former FBI director James Comey made his first public statement since he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia Thursday.
Comey asserted that he is innocent. The former FBI director was indicted on one count for giving a false statement and on one count of obstruction of justice. Both charges were related to his September 2020 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The former FBI director is the first senior government official, who investigated Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign over possible ties to Russia, to face federal charges.
“We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either,” the former FBI director said in an Instagram video. “Let’s have a trial. And keep the faith.”
Watch the video here:
President Donald Trump responded to Comey’s indictment on TruthSocial, exclaiming “JUSTICE IN AMERICA!”
“One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former Corrupt Head of the FBI,” the president 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.”
Trump has put increased pressure on his Department of Justice, publicly demanding to prosecute both Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James.
The Justice Department was crunched for time to indict Comey because the statute of limitations on his September 2020 testimony about Russian interference in the 2016 election was set to expire next week.
“My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way,” Comey said Thursday. “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.”
