On September 27, 2025, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and lying to Congress, marking a watershed moment in the ongoing struggle over the politicization of the American justice system. The indictment, which followed a public campaign by President Donald Trump to prosecute his political adversaries, has set off a firestorm of reactions across the political spectrum. The move is seen by Trump supporters as long-overdue payback, while critics warn it represents a dangerous breach of the Justice Department’s independence.
According to Axios, the charges against Comey are viewed by Democrats and much of the legal establishment as one of the most brazen collapses of prosecutorial independence in U.S. history. To the MAGA movement and Trump’s base, however, the indictment is nothing short of vindication—a long-awaited strike against a figure they have long considered the face of the so-called “Deep State.” For years, Comey has been a central villain in MAGA circles, seen as the architect of the Russia probe that dogged Trump’s presidency and, in their eyes, a symbol of institutional efforts to undermine him.
The indictment did not come out of the blue. As reported by CNN, just days prior, President Trump publicly demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi bring charges against Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Adam Schiff. Trump was explicit in his demands, declaring the trio “guilty as hell” and linking the need for swift “justice” to their roles in the investigations and lawsuits that have plagued his political career. In a move that shocked many legal observers, Trump forced out U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert, who had declined to bring charges, and installed Lindsey Halligan—his personal attorney with no prosecutorial experience—to finish the job.
The legal world reacted with alarm to what it saw as a breach of Department of Justice norms, which traditionally hold that presidents should not involve themselves in prosecutions—especially those in which they have a political interest. Yet, as CNN noted, many on the right shrugged off the breach, arguing that President Joe Biden had set a precedent by allowing the prosecution of Trump and his allies. Trump himself justified his actions by stating, “They weaponized the Justice Department like nobody in history.”
The specifics of the Comey indictment center on allegations of perjury and obstruction of a congressional proceeding, stemming from his 2020 testimony in which he denied authorizing leaks. There is uncertainty about the details of these alleged false statements. CNN reported that officials involved in the case believe the leak in question related to an investigation into Hillary Clinton, and that the individual Comey allegedly authorized to leak information was Columbia law professor Daniel Richman. However, declassified FBI documents from 2017 concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge either Comey or Richman with making false statements. The indictment does not accuse Richman of any wrongdoing.
Further complicating matters, the DOJ inspector general in 2018 examined Comey’s denials about leaks to former deputy FBI Director Andy McCabe and found “the overwhelming weight of that evidence supported Comey’s version.” A separate inspector general report in 2019 faulted Comey for mishandling memos containing classified information, but the DOJ declined to prosecute, citing a lack of evidence that Comey acted willfully.
Despite these findings, the indictment was brought just days before the statute of limitations was set to expire. According to CNN, Attorney General Bondi had reservations about the case, but the pressure from Trump was unmistakable. “Yeah, I want him out, yeah,” Trump said of U.S. Attorney Siebert, shortly before Siebert’s resignation. The next day, Trump named Comey and others he believed were guilty of crimes, urging Bondi to act swiftly: “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility.”
The Comey indictment is just the first in what Trump’s allies hope will be a broader campaign of legal retribution. Axios notes that MAGA leaders like Mike Davis and former Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn have called Comey the “first domino,” with others expected to fall soon. The list of those under investigation by the Department of Justice reportedly includes John Brennan, James Clapper, John Bolton, former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and liberal philanthropist George Soros. Trump, for his part, denied having a “list” of enemies to prosecute but told reporters, “I think there will be others. They are corrupt.”
Yet, the strength of the charges against Comey remains in question. Legal experts, including conservative lawyer Andrew McCarthy, have expressed skepticism about the case’s merits, suggesting it could collapse at trial or even be dismissed as malicious prosecution due to Trump’s public commentary. The MAGA base, meanwhile, is demanding not just indictments but convictions and prison sentences. “I think more than anything they want accountability and not just a show,” Sean Spicer, Trump’s first White House press secretary, told Axios. Podcaster Tim Pool added, “Trump’s base is still unsatisfied. Many aren’t optimistic that Trump will actually indict others or even succeed with Comey.”
The contrast with the Biden administration’s approach to prosecuting Trump is stark. As CNN explains, the indictments against Trump were brought by a special counsel independent of Biden’s appointed attorney general, Merrick Garland. Both Garland and the special counsel insisted they did not feel pressure from Biden, who refrained from publicly celebrating the charges against Trump or pushing for the prosecution of his political opponents. The Democratic president did not force out prosecutors or replace them with loyalists to ensure indictments, as Trump did with Comey’s case.
Moreover, the prosecutorial record in cases against Trump and his allies has been strong. Nearly a dozen convictions or guilty pleas have been secured, including Trump himself, who was found guilty on 34 felony counts in the New York hush money case. In contrast, Trump’s claims of criminal activity by his foes have often fallen apart under legal scrutiny. The much-hyped investigation by special counsel John Durham into the origins of the Mueller probe yielded only three minor charges, two of which resulted in acquittals.
As the Justice Department continues to investigate other figures, such as former CIA Director John Brennan, the Comey indictment will serve as a litmus test for the Trump administration’s claims of widespread criminality among its political enemies. But regardless of the outcome, the manner in which the indictment was brought—a sitting president forcing out prosecutors, publicly demanding charges, and installing loyalists—has set a precedent that alarms legal scholars and threatens to reshape the norms that have long governed the American justice system.
For now, the nation watches as the first domino falls, uncertain of how many more will follow—or whether the foundation of prosecutorial independence can withstand the tremors set in motion by this unprecedented case.
