The FBI is considering arresting former Director James Comey and subjecting him to a public “perp walk,” according to multiple sources within the bureau, and has suspended an agent who reportedly resisted efforts to build the case against him. The escalating moves come after Comey was indicted in Virginia on a charge of lying to Congress regarding the handling of classified details related to the Hillary Clinton email inquiry.
The potential arrest and public display are driven by pressure from allies of former President Donald Trump, who view Comey as a key figure in investigations they believe were politically motivated. While the indictment centers on a 2017 Senate hearing were Comey testified he hadn’t authorized anyone at the FBI to serve as an anonymous source in media reports about the Clinton probes, the current push goes further, aiming for a highly visible exhibition of accountability. The suspended FBI agent allegedly voiced concerns about the legal and ethical implications of pursuing such a course of action.
The charges accuse Comey of falsely stating during that Senate hearing that he hadn’t authorized anyone at the FBI to serve as an anonymous source in media reports about investigations into Hillary Clinton. The indictment does not specify who he allegedly authorized, or the details of the leak.Comey has denied any wrongdoing.
The case has been marked by internal turmoil within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Erik Siebert, the lead prosecutor, resigned two weeks ago and was replaced by Lindsey Halligan, a former personal lawyer for Mr.Trump. Halligan later requested the grand jury indictment of Comey. A memo circulated among staff argued against bringing charges, according to a Justice Department source. Additionally, two high-level prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia have been fired in recent weeks.
