Former FBI Director James Comey has vowed to struggle legal expenses of mendacity to Congress and obstruction of justice, describing himself as a sufferer of political retribution by President Donald Trump.
In a video assertion posted on social media Thursday evening, Comey mentioned his household had lengthy anticipated there can be “prices to standing as much as Donald Trump.”
“We is not going to dwell on our knees, and also you shouldn’t both,” he mentioned. “Someone that I like dearly lately mentioned that concern is the software of a tyrant. And he or she’s proper.”
Comey urged People to not be “afraid” and to proceed resisting Trump politically. “I’m not afraid. And I hope you’re not both. I hope as a substitute you’re engaged, you’re paying consideration, and you’ll vote like the one you love nation relies upon upon it – which it does,” he mentioned.
The indictment, returned simply earlier than the expiration of the five-year statute of limitations, stems from Comey’s September 30, 2020, testimony earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee about Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s probe into allegations of Trump marketing campaign “collusion” with Russia.
Based on the Justice Division, Comey falsely instructed senators he had by no means licensed leaks to the media concerning the Trump investigation or the probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal e-mail server. The costs accuse him of each making false statements and obstructing a congressional continuing.
“My coronary heart is damaged for the Division of Justice, however I’ve nice confidence within the federal judicial system, and I’m harmless,” Comey insisted. “So let’s have a trial. And maintain the religion.”
Comey led the FBI from 2013 till Trump fired him in 2017, shortly after taking workplace. After his dismissal, he pursued a profession as a public speaker and fiction novelist, changing into certainly one of Trump’s fiercest critics. He admitted to leaking personal memos in hopes of triggering the appointment of a particular counsel to research the president.
If convicted on each counts, Comey might resist 5 years in jail. Based on CNN, he’s anticipated to give up and make an preliminary look within the Jap District of Virginia on Friday.
