Comey Indictment Sparks ‘Constitutional Crisis’ Alarm Among Democrats, Divides Washington

Former FBI Director James Comey’s federal indictment has sent shockwaves through Congress, with prominent Democrats vehemently condemning the move as a politically motivated attack by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department. The indictment, reportedly on charges of making a false statement and obstruction related to his 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, has ignited a fierce debate over the rule of law.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy declared the situation a “constitutional crisis” on Thursday night, urging leaders to “pick a side: democracy or autocracy?” Rep. Jamie Raskin pointed to the recent resignation of U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert—who allegedly refused to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James—and the swift appointment of Lindsey Halligan, who then filed charges against Comey, as setting the stage. Raskin called the charges “baseless” and expressed confidence in Comey’s eventual acquittal.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries released a statement Thursday night calling the indictment a “disgraceful attack on the rule of law” with “no apparent basis in law or fact.” Sen. Peter Welch echoed these concerns, labeling Comey’s indictment a “new low” for democracy, asserting it was clearly motivated by Comey being “Trump’s political adversary.”

Republican responses have been more subdued and varied. Sen. Chuck Grassley indicated a desire for the legal process to unfold, stating that if facts support Comey lied to Congress, he should be held accountable. However, some Republicans praised the Justice Department, with Sen. Eric Schmitt stating it was “time to expose the lies and corruption from people like James Comey.” Sen. John Cornyn noted that while the legal system presumes innocence, “Comey’s accountability for FBI abuses during the first Trump term are long overdue.”

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