# AP: “Ex-FBI Director James Comey indicted on charges of lying to Congress and obstruction” **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 26, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402 "2025-09-26T00:34:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/261 "2025-11-25T22:12:06Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Yes. She was [formally nominated](https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/559?utm_source=chatgpt.com) on Sep 30, 2025. Nothing was ever done in the Senate. I guess it’s all academic since Halligan’s misconduct took place before this nomination. I am a little surprised Kuo didn’t mention this … but I guess since her nomination never got out of committee, it’s essentially the same as never having been nominated. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/262 "2025-11-25T23:30:01Z")
**US Attorney - Nominated/Confirmed** To be a lawful US attorney, Halligan needs to be _confirmed_ by the Senate. That never happened. The nomination on its own is meaningless to whether she was lawful or not. It is odd that no one has ever mentioned it before - like to the point I doubted whether it was true or not, but the cite is the actual source of info for that. **Interim US Attorney** The other way is to be lawfully appointed _interim_ attorney until the Senate confirms you which is the source of debate/dismissal/appeal. Here, the interim period was used up so Halligan needed to wait for confirmation. **Special Attorney** The other _other_ way to bypass all of that is to be appointed a special prosecutor. That was tried on Oct 31 in this case. Didn’t work because it tried to be retroactive to before the Indictment, and Bondi had already tried to appoint Halligan to be an interim at that time - can’t say Halligan is both. AG Bondi has broad discretion here, but I doubt she can appoint Halligan special prosecutor for the sole purpose of getting around being a valid US attorney. In the future on Trump’s retribution tour, I imagine if DOJ can’t find a willing appointed US prosecutor (which do exist), they will go the special prosecutor route. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/263 "2025-12-07T16:34:52Z")
Yet another — albeit temporary — [roadblock\*](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/06/judge-blocks-prosecutors-access-to-james-comeys-lawyers-emails-and-data-00679805), this time regarding admissibility of evidence, which strikes me as more substantial than an illegal prosecutor. > A federal judge dealt a setback Saturday to the Justice Department’s effort to re-indict former FBI Director James Comey, blocking prosecutors’ access to key evidence from email accounts and a computer belonging to close Comey friend and attorney Daniel Richman. > > U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly granted a temporary restraining order sought by Richman’s lawyers, requiring that the evidence be sequestered pending a ruling on Richman’s claim that the government illegally retained his emails and other data. > > “The Court concludes that Petitioner Richman is likely to succeed on the merits of his claim that the Government has violated his Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures by retaining a complete copy of all files on his personal computer (an ‘image’ of the computer) and searching that image without a warrant,” Kollar-Kotelly wrote in a four-page order filed Saturday, one day after Richman’s attorneys requested the emergency order. > > ~~--------------------------------~~ > > Richman’s attorneys have argued that prosecutors and investigators were obliged to return or destroy the data once the initial investigations concluded and that the FBI appears to have examined data not within the scope of the warrants. > > It’s unclear just how significant a lack of access to Richman’s records would be for the Justice Department’s efforts to re-indict Comey. Investigators would likely have access to some of the emails from other sources. However, Comey’s lawyers have already argued that access to Richman’s data tainted the investigation that led to Comey’s indictment in September on charges of lying to and obstructing a Senate committee. > > And U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, who helped manage the Comey case, said the lone grand jury witness — an FBI case agent — may have viewed material that should have been protected, threatening the entire case. No comment from the ~~In~~ Justice Department yet, though they will certainly argue otherwise. According to the article, they have till Tuesday to respond. \* Sorry, Discourse refused a preview. Something about a missing image. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/264 "2025-12-07T18:17:54Z")
Related. # Grand jury declines to indict N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James, less than two weeks after the first case was dismissed Federal officials failed to secure the new indictment against James, whom Trump has targeted, after a judge said the previous one was secured by an unlawfully appointed prosecutor. Multiple sources. Revenge tour going as well as 2020 election cases. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/265 "2025-12-07T18:28:37Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Grand jury declines to indict N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James, less than two weeks after the first case was dismissed Interesting nugget of information in the NBC News story: > [@](#): > > The Halligan appointment also came after Trump [urged Attorney General Pam Bondi](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115239044548033727) in a social media post to push ahead with prosecutions of Comey, James and another perceived political adversary, [Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/federal-grand-jury-investigating-handling-adam-schiff-criminal-probe-rcna244997). > > “Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done,’” Trump said the post, **which a source [previously confirmed to NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-accidentally-posted-message-pressuring-pam-bondi-charge-enemies-rcna236830) the president had intended as a direct message to Bondi, not a public post.** So the Prez doesn’t know the difference between sending a secure private e-mail to the Attorney General, and posting on Truth Social. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/266 "2025-12-07T22:22:22Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > So the Prez doesn’t know the difference between sending a secure private e-mail to the Attorney General, and posting on Truth Social I’m surprised. This is my surprised face 😑 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/267 "2025-12-07T22:32:32Z")
It certainly provides support for a defence of politically motivated prosecution. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/268 "2025-12-07T23:04:18Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > So the Prez doesn’t know the difference between sending a secure private e-mail to the Attorney General, and posting on Truth Social. Well, this is the same guy that tried to declassify things the same way Michael Scott tried to declare bankruptcy. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/269 "2025-12-08T05:48:23Z")
At least he hasn’t appointed Michael Scott to the Cabinet. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/270 "2025-12-08T19:51:46Z")
[Michael Scott](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scott_Jr.) is a Democrat so that would be weird. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/271 "2025-12-08T20:09:20Z")
He was recently amazed and angry that a Democrat he pardoned didn’t immediately switch political parties so…maybe not so weird. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/272 "2026-01-21T04:28:18Z")
Aaaaaaaand Lindsey’s outta here! > **[Trump-appointed prosecutor who pursued indictments against the president's...](https://www.aol.com/articles/federal-judge-says-trump-appointed-220651044.html)** > > Lindsey Halligan, who, as a hastily appointed Justice Department prosecutor, pursued indictments against a pair of President Donald Trump's adversaries, is leaving her position as her months-long tenure has now concluded, Attorney General Pam Bondi... ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/273 "2026-01-21T07:11:10Z")
Every time I see that photo of Lindsey, the theme music to Charlie’s Angels( 70s tv show, not modern movie) plays in my head. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/274 "2026-01-21T11:57:01Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > theme music to Charlie’s Angels( 70s tv show, not modern movie) I may get censured for objectification of women, but 70s Charlie’s Angels were both more beautiful and effective in fighting crime than Ms. Halligan ever was. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/275 "2026-01-21T18:26:23Z")
[gov.uscourts.vaed.586311.23.0.pdf](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.586311/gov.uscourts.vaed.586311.23.0.pdf) from the above ruling: The Court recognizes that Ms. Halligan lacks the prosecutorial experience that has long been the norm for those nominated to the position of United States Attorney in this District. Consequently, and in light of her inexperience, the Court grants Ms. Halligan the benefit of the doubt and refrains from referring her for further investigation and disciplinary action regarding her misrepresentations to this Court at this time. However, this Memorandum Order provides notice that, should Ms. Halligan persist in ignoring Judge Currie’s Orders and this Memorandum Order in any matter before the undersigned, the Court will initiate disciplinary proceedings against Ms. Halligan and any other signatory to an offending pleading pursuant to Federal Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement V(A). i was kinda hoping they would touch the hot stove again, and bondi, blanche, and haligan would end up in disciplinary proceedings. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/276 "2026-01-21T20:15:06Z")
Good heavens, that was some fun reading. While the whole 18 pages were worth reading, pretty much all of you should read at least the conclusion. Not sure I can readily think of seeing a judicial opinion that quite so blatantly smacks down an attorney - not to mention a government prosecutor. And I’ve read one or 2 decisions in my day. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/277 "2026-01-21T20:23:06Z")
The Eastern District of Virginia has long enjoyed the service of experienced prosecutors with unquestioned integrity from both political parties serving as the United States Attorney. Despite coming from different political backgrounds and holding very different ideological views, they all shared an unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law, putting the interests of the citizens of the District before their own personal ambitions, as true public servants do. Unfortunately, it appears that this ethos has come to an end. A district judge acting at the direction of the Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit has ruled on behalf of the district judges of this District that Ms. Halligan was invalidly appointed as the United States Attorney. No matter all of her machinations, Ms. Halligan has no legal basis to represent to this Court that she holds the position. And any such representation going forward can only be described as a false statement made in direct defiance of valid court orders. In short, this charade of Ms. Halligan masquerading as the United States Attorney for this District in direct defiance of binding court orders must come to an end. the above from pg. 17 is my favourite. charade and masquerade. brilliant! ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/278 "2026-01-21T20:48:52Z")
Yeah - that is a fucking hoot! If you do not regularly read DCt opinions, you might not appreciate how “in your face” this language is. So much winning! 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/279 "2026-01-21T21:42:21Z")
> **Inappropriate Post Hidden** > > I’ll just pile on. Here is Halligan in a reality TV show “[South Beach Tow](https://bsky.app/profile/annabower.bsky.social/post/3m2427sybis2d)” in a skimpy swimsuit. Being on TV is a requirement to be in the Trump Administration, apparently. > > [@annabower.bsky.social on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/annabower.bsky.social/post/3m2427sybis2d) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402/280 "2026-01-21T22:57:34Z")
**Moderating:** @CoolHandCox, we’re really trying hard to avoid the whole objectifying female (and male if it comes up) public figures based on their appearance. It’s bad enough if you were to do it in the Pit, but really out of line for P&E. There’s plenty to discuss about the political figure in question’s qualifications or lack thereof without this. No warning but please do not do this again. I’ve hidden the post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-ex-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-on-charges-of-lying-to-congress-and-obstruction/1023402.md?page=15)