What Happened to James Brien Comey Jr.?

James Brien Comey Jr. began his distinguished legal career after graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1985. He served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he prosecuted members of the Gambino crime family, and later for the Eastern District of Virginia. His rise continued as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2002 to 2003, notably overseeing the prosecution of Martha Stewart, and then as Deputy Attorney General from 2003 to 2005 under President George W. Bush.

In September 2013, President Barack Obama appointed Comey as the seventh Director of the FBI. His tenure, initially lauded for its independence, became highly politicized during the 2016 presidential election. Comey faced intense scrutiny for his public statements regarding the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, particularly his July 2016 announcement not to recommend charges and his October 2016 letter to Congress reopening the inquiry just days before the election. Following Donald Trump's inauguration, Comey confirmed in March 2017 that the FBI was investigating potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia. This investigation, coupled with the lingering controversy over the Clinton email probe, led to his abrupt dismissal by President Trump on May 9, 2017.

Post-FBI, Comey transitioned to a career as an author and public speaker. His memoir, 'A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,' published in April 2018, became a bestseller, offering his perspective on ethical leadership and his interactions with President Trump. He has since published other non-fiction and fiction works, including 'Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust' and the legal thrillers 'Central Park West' and 'FDR Drive.'

Comey has remained a target of criticism from former President Trump and his allies. In September 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Comey on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding, related to his 2020 testimony about the FBI's Russia investigation. He pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed in November 2025 by a federal judge who found that the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, had been unlawfully appointed. As of April 28, 2026, Comey faces a new legal challenge, having been indicted a second time by the Justice Department. While specific charges are not fully clear, sources indicate they relate to an Instagram post Comey shared last year featuring seashells arranged to form '86 47,' which some interpreted as a political message. Additionally, on the same day, a federal judge ruled that his daughter, Maurene Comey, a former federal prosecutor, can proceed with her wrongful termination lawsuit, alleging she was fired due to her father's political feud with Trump.