USA US court dismisses charges against ex-FBI chief
A US federal court has dismissed an indictment against a fierce critic of US President Donald Trump, former FBI chief James Comey. The court reasoned that the prosecutor involved in the case should not have been appointed by the US Department of Justice. She had been appointed on a temporary basis. US media saw the court's decision as a major defeat for President Trump.
24.11.2025, 19:41
SDA
Comey was indicted following Trump's pressure on the judiciary
The charges against Comey for making false statements, among other things, were brought at the end of September following massive pressure from Trump on the judiciary. The Department of Justice announced at the time that the 64-year-old was also accused of obstructing an investigation by the US Congress.
The indictment came just a few days after Trump had urged his Attorney General Pam Bondi via social media to take action against people he considered enemies. The president complained that there was a lot of talk but no action - and explicitly named Comey.
Comey was appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by then US President Barack Obama in 2013. During Trump's first term in office, he led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US elections and possible links between Moscow and members of Trump's campaign team. In 2017, Comey was dismissed by Trump in connection with the then ongoing investigation.
In an initial hearing, the former FBI chief pleaded not guilty according to US media. The Comey indictment also received a lot of attention because critics see it as a possible example of how pressure is exerted on Trump's opponents and unpopular individuals.
