Additional Coverage:
Virginia Prepares for Comey Arraignment with New Federal Prosecutors
As former FBI Director James Comey prepares for his arraignment in Virginia this Wednesday, the Department of Justice has brought in two out-of-state assistant U.S. attorneys to join the prosecution team.
The two prosecutors, who typically practice in the Eastern District of North Carolina, officially entered their appearances in the high-profile Comey case on Tuesday afternoon. Their addition comes amid reports that former special counsel John Durham had reportedly undercut the case against Comey during an interview with prosecutors.
Comey was indicted last month by a grand jury, which heard evidence presented by Lindsey Halligan, the recently appointed U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan’s appointment followed the ousting of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, who sources indicated had expressed internal doubts about pursuing charges against Comey. The former FBI head has consistently denied the charges brought against him.
Halligan, a replacement handpicked by former President Donald Trump despite having no prior experience as a prosecutor, reportedly presented evidence to the grand jury on her own. Sources close to the matter suggest she has faced challenges in securing support within her office to prosecute the case.
The charges against Comey include making a false statement and obstruction, stemming from his 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the FBI’s investigation into Russia. These charges were filed just days after former President Trump publicly called for his Justice Department to “now” pursue prosecutions against Comey and other political adversaries.
The Comey case has reportedly caused significant upheaval within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. This turmoil follows Siebert’s firing, the controversial decision to indict Comey against the recommendations of career prosecutors, and the subsequent dismissal of two senior prosecutors within the office.