A federal judge in Virginia has rejected a request from the Department of Justice to extend discovery deadlines in the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, instead ordering prosecutors to hand over all evidence to the defense by 5 p.m. on October 13.
Comey, who served as FBI director from 2013 until 2017, was indicted on September 25 in the Eastern District of Virginia on two felony charges—making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The Department of Justice has not yet commented on the ruling.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to its broader implications. Charging a former FBI chief with lying to lawmakers and interfering with a congressional inquiry raises significant questions about honesty, accountability, and potential political motivations within the justice system. The proceedings could set a new precedent for how aggressively prosecutors pursue criminal cases against high-level government officials accused of misleading Congress, potentially shaping future oversight dynamics and public trust in the Justice Department.
After weeks of dispute over the pace of evidence disclosure, U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff ruled that prosecutors must complete all discovery by October 13 to ensure fairness and maintain the scheduled January 2026 trial date. The judge underscored the importance of adhering to deadlines in a case of such public interest.
According to the indictment, Comey allegedly made false statements during a 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, claiming that he had not authorized anyone at the FBI to act as an anonymous source for media reports involving an individual referred to as “Person 1.” Prosecutors allege that Comey knowingly misled Congress and had, in fact, approved another FBI official—identified in court filings as “Person 3”—to serve as a confidential source.
The second charge accuses Comey of attempting to obstruct a congressional investigation by deliberately making false and misleading statements to lawmakers.
Comey has pleaded not guilty to both counts, maintaining that his statements were truthful and that the charges against him are politically motivated. The case, now moving forward under Judge Nachmanoff’s order, is expected to test the boundaries of executive accountability and the impartiality of the justice system.