The indictment makes Comey the first former senior government official involved in one of Trump's chief grievances, the long-concluded investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, to face prosecution. Trump has for years derided that investigation as a "hoax" and a "witch hunt" despite multiple government reviews showing Moscow interfered on behalf of the Republican's campaign, and has made clear his desire for retribution. The criminal case is likely to deepen concerns that the Justice Department under the leadership of Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Trump loyalist, is being weaponised as it pursues investigations of public figures the president regards as his adversaries. Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York has sharply criticised the Trump administration over Comey's indictment. "The indictment of James Comey is a disgraceful attack on the rule of law," Jeffries said late Thursday. Donald Trump and his sycophants in the Department of Justice are completely and totally out of control, and have viciously weaponised the criminal justice system against their perceived adversaries."

The sparse two-count indictment — consisting of charges of making a false statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee and obstructing a congressional proceeding — appears to have nothing to do with the substance of the Russia investigation.

Instead, it accuses Comey of having lied to the committee when asked whether he had authorised anyone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source of information related to investigations into either Trump or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Clinton. Though the indictment does not specify the subject Comey is alleged to have lied about, it appears through context to have to do with Clinton. Comey says in a video that he is innocent as he says "let's have a trial and keep the faith." (Jamaica Gleaner)