Trump Administration Files Third Case Against James Comey

Sealed documents made public Monday accuse James Comey, the former FBI director fired during President Donald Trump's first term, of two counts tied to the unlawful dissemination of "information related to national defence," according to Al Jazeera. Comey has not been indicted in the matter and has denied wrongdoing.

What do the new charges allege?

The sealed documents accuse Comey on two counts connected to disclosing material the government classifies as national defense information, Al Jazeera reported. The outlet did not identify the specific statute under which the counts were filed, the underlying information at issue, or the agency handling the filing beyond characterizing it as a Trump administration action. No indictment has been returned, meaning a grand jury has not yet formally charged Comey in connection with the sealed documents.

How does this compare to the earlier cases?

Monday's filing marks the third time the Trump administration has sought a criminal case against Comey since Trump returned to office in January 2025, according to Al Jazeera. The report does not detail the charges, outcomes, or current status of the first two attempts, so it is not possible from the available record to say whether those cases were dismissed, remain pending, or were resolved in another way.

What has Comey said in response?

Comey addressed the new filing in a video posted to the online platform Substack, denouncing the move as political retribution, per Al Jazeera's account.

"Well, now they're back again. It would almost be funny if it weren't such an appalling abuse of the Department of Justice, one that we cannot become numb to," Comey said, adding: "Nothing's changed with me. I'm still innocent, and I'm still not afraid of these people, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary."

Comey also suggested the pattern could continue. "The next couple years are going to be hard for all of us," he said. "It's really important that we stand straight and keep the faith in America."

What happens next?

Al Jazeera's report was published as the story was still developing and noted "more details to come," meaning the docket number, the charging agency's formal statement, and any court scheduling were not yet available at publication. Because no indictment has been returned, the case has not advanced to arraignment or a plea stage as of the reporting available.

Key terms in the filing

• Sealed documents: Court filings kept confidential from public view, often used before an indictment is unsealed or during an active investigation.
• National defense information: A legal term covering material the government deems sensitive to military or security interests; unauthorized disclosure can carry criminal penalties under federal law.
• Indictment: A formal criminal charge returned by a grand jury. Comey has not been indicted in this matter, per Al Jazeera.

HTT News will update this report as the Department of Justice or Comey's legal team release additional filings or statements. The originating report is available via Al Jazeera.