Former FBI director James Comey has been charged by a federal grand jury, marking the latest flashpoint in President Donald Trump’s unprecedented campaign against perceived political enemies.
The Department of Justice announced Thursday that Comey, 64, faces allegations of obstructing a congressional investigation into the disclosure of sensitive information and making false statements.
Comey, appointed FBI director in 2013 by President Barack Obama, led the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, examining potential ties between Moscow and members of Trump’s campaign team.
Trump fired Comey in 2017 while the investigation was ongoing.
Comey denied wrongdoing in a video posted on Instagram Thursday night, declaring his innocence and expressing confidence in the federal court system.
