What to know about James Comey's indictment and what happens next
The US Department of Justice has charged James Comey with perjury over testimony he gave to Congress five years ago.
The news puts the former FBI boss back in the spotlight nearly a decade after playing a key part in the drama of the 2016 election campaign.
Who is James Comey?
After a childhood in New York and New Jersey, the young lawyer worked for various federal prosecutors including Rudy Giuliani. He later made waves as lead prosecutor against celebrity homemaker Martha Stewart and scaled the echelons of the justice department before being appointed to run the FBI in 2013. His actions during the 2016 presidential election sparked significant controversy.
Why did Trump fire Comey?
Comey was leading the Russian election interference investigation when he was fired by Trump. This move came amid allegations of mishandling the Clinton probe, which set off a cascade of events leading to a special counsel investigation.
Why was Comey indicted?
The indictment alleges that Comey misled the Senate Judiciary Committee during his 2020 testimony. He faces charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice, stemming from claims that he authorized leaks to the media regarding FBI investigations.
What happens next?
James Comey is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on October 9. This could open the door for further charges against other political figures as Trump has indicated his desire for broader legal actions against opponents.