This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
James Comey, the ex-FBI chief who recently went to social media with a message suggesting a threat against President Donald Trump, posting, then pulling, an image of seashells placed to carry the message "86 47," has pleaded not guilty to charges of obstruction and lying.
He was indicted for his actions during the Democrats' weaponization of the federal government against Trump, which included fabrications about Trump 2016 campaign links to Russia and more.
The Washington Examiner noted he was indicted last month by U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, making him the "first former FBI director to be criminally charged after leaving office."
He's accused of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The evidence released so far comes from the government's own documentation about what he knew and when, and video of his own claims about those events.
Comey already has begun trying to build public support, claiming in statements that he's released that he's innocent and "eager" to go to trial.
The charges say he "willfully and knowingly" made a false statement during a 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing when he denied he authorized any FBI official at "act as an anonymous source in media reports" on the FBI's investigation that widely was understood to refer to Trump.
Prosecutors charge Comey actually approved a subordinate to serve as a source for that material.
He could be in prison for five years if convicted.
He reportedly was allowed the special privilege of entering the courthouse where he entered his pleas through a little-used entrance, avoiding video cameras stationed at the front door.
"Comey's indictment represents a stunning turn for a man who once led the nation's premier law enforcement agency and has long been both vilified and praised for his handling of politically charged investigations. As FBI director, he angered Democrats by reopening the probe into Hillary Clinton's emails shortly before the 2016 election, and infuriated Republicans by pursuing the Trump-Russia investigation months later," the report said.
After he was fired, he called Trump a "mob boss."
"Earlier this year, he sustained criticism and was even visited by the Secret Service after posting an image of seashells in the sand that stated '86 47,' a message that was interpreted by Trump and allies as a veiled threat or wish for harm to come to the president. Comey subsequently deleted the post and issued an apology after the backlash," the Examiner reported.
Following the indictment, Comey's son-in-law quit his post as a federal prosecutor in New York. His daughter, Maureen, is suing over her removal from her post as a federal prosecutor in New York.
FBI Director Kash Patel has said that "previous corrupt leadership" "weaponized federal law enforcement, damaging once proud institutions and severely eroding public trust."
"Every day, we continue the fight to earn that trust back, and under my leadership, this FBI will confront the problem head-on," Patel said. "Nowhere was this politicization of law enforcement more blatant than during the Russiagate hoax, a disgraceful chapter in history we continue to investigate and expose. Everyone, especially those in positions of power, will be held to account – no matter their perch."
Comey posted a video after the indictment claiming that the case is part of the cost "of standing up to Donald Trump."
"My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I am innocent," he said.
The FBI, in fact, opened its lie-based "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation into Trump and his campaign days after Comey was fired during Trump's first term. Then Robert Mueller spent two years and millions of tax dollars as special counsel investigating, and found no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.
A later special counsel, John Durham, concluded the FBI had a "clear warning sign" that it was the target of a Hillary Clinton scheme to "manipulate or influence the law enforcement process for political purposes," but refused to act.
