The former director of the FBI, James Comey was on Thursday criminally charged for making false statements and obstruction of justice.

Trump lauds Comey indictment

US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan announced the charges, and said Comey could face up to five years behind bars if convicted. 

US President Donald Trump hailed the indictment on his Truth Social platform, claiming Comey "is now at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes against our Nation."  

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the indictment "reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people." FBI Director Kash Patel also said "no one is above the law."

'I am innocent' — Comey

In a video posted on Instagram, Comey maintained his innocence. 

"My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I am innocent, so let's have a trial and keep the faith," Comey said. 

Comey said that "my family and I have known for years that there are cost(s) to standing up to Donald Trump, but I couldn't imagine living any other way."

Other members of Comey's family have been targeted by the Department of Justice in recent months. The Justice Department dismissed Comey's daughter, federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, in July without cause. 

Comey's son-in law Troy Edwards, stepped down from his position at the Justice Department after Comey's indictment. 

Why is Comey a target for the Trump administration?  

Comey began his tenure as FBI Director in 2013 under former President Barack Obama. 

In 2016, then-Republican nominee Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.

During Trump's first term in office, the FBI under Comey was investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign's possible collusion with Russia to win that election.

The Russia investigation drew anger from Trump in the first months of his first term in office, with Trump firing Comey in May 2017. Trump has frequently chastised the probe into Russian interference, calling it the "Russia hoax."

The charges against Comey are tied to a 2020 Senate testimony provided by the former FBI director which prosecutors say contained a false statement. 

The indictment of Comey comes days after Trump deleted a message on Truth Social apparently directed to Bondi, urging her to go after Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Senator Adam Schiff and other political enemies.     

Recently, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Seibert stepped down amid pressure from the Trump administration to indict Letitia James. Trump then replaced Seibert with Lindsey Halligan, a loyalist with little prosecutorial experience. 

Edited by: Kieran Burke