James Comey Indicted Again Amid Trump Administration Turmoil

James Comey Trump DOJ indictment politics

April 30, 20269 min readNorth America

James Comey Indicted Again Amid Trump Administration Turmoil

Former FBI director faces new charges linked to social media post

{"results": [{"url": "https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-fbi-james-comey-indictment-trump/", "title": "Former FBI director James Comey facing second indictment, source says - The Globe and Mail", "summary": "Former FBI Director James Comey faces a second indictment in a separate DOJ case tied to a social-media post depicting seashells arranged on a beach that officials say symbolized a threat against President Trump. The charges were revealed by an unnamed source to AP; specific counts were not immediately disclosed. This subsequent prosecution follows Comey\u2019s earlier indictment in September for allegedly lying to Congress and obstructing an investigation about whether he shared inside information with a journalist, a case that was dismissed after a ruling that the prosecutor was improperly appointed. Comey, who previously oversaw initial phases of the Russia investigation during the Trump era, has been portrayed by Trump allies as a political target. The new development comes amid broader DOJ actions against Trump foes and adds to a prior controversy surrounding interpretation of the \u201c86 47\u201d message, with 86 cited as slang associated with violence by some outlets. The legal process, potential charges, and judge decisions are evolving, and questions remain about whether the second indictment will be refiled or dismissed."}, {"url": "https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/02/politics/fired-pam-bondi-trump-why", "title": "Analysis: Pam Bondi was destined to fail. But she also made it worse | CNN Politics", "author": "Aaron Blake", "summary": "Summary:\n- This CNN Analysis piece argues Pam Bondi\u2019s tenure as U.S. Attorney General under Donald Trump was structurally doomed from the start, and that her own missteps exacerbated the situation.\n- Key focus areas: the Epstein files controversy and Bondi\u2019s handling of disclosures/promises around those documents.\n- Epstein files: Bondi distributed \u201cEpstein Files\u201d binders to conservative influencers, which contained little new information and were perceived as a propaganda move. She publicly amplified unproven claims (e.g., a rumored client list and \u201ctens of thousands of videos\u201d) that critics say damaged the administration\u2019s credibility.\n- The piece notes a shift in Trump\u2019s stance on releasing the Epstein materials, and argues Bondi\u2019s messaging bordered on politically driven missteps that worsened the DOJ\u2019s public perception and the administration\u2019s political messaging.\n- Overall conclusion: Bondi\u2019s trajectory was likely doomed regardless, but her actions intensified the negative impact, contributing to a short tenure as attorney general and complicating Trump\u2019s broader legal and political strategies.\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for connections to the June/April 2026 legal actions, the piece frames Bondi\u2019s role as a cautionary example of how aggressive, misaligned messaging around sensitive investigations (like Epstein-related materials) can backfire and undermine prosecutorial objectivity."}, {"url": "https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/04/politics/how-pam-bondi-lost-her-job", "title": "How Pam Bondi lost her job | CNN Politics", "author": "Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- The article covers Pam Bondi\u2019s ouster as U.S. Attorney General under President Donald Trump, detailing a tumultuous 14-month tenure aligned with Trump\u2019s political aims.\n- Key context: Bondi was dismissed after months of tension with Trump over aggressive prosecutions of his allies and rivals, and amid ongoing scrutiny over Epstein-related issues in the Trump orbit.\n- Highlights in office:\n - Bondi purged career prosecutors aligned with opposition to Trump.\n - She shut down offices touching White House-linked figures.\n - The DOJ under her leadership pursued aggressive litigation favorable to Trump, including actions related to his allies and critics.\n - Notable prosecutions during her tenure included the classified documents case against John Bolton and attempts to limit the release of the special counsel\u2019s report on Trump\u2019s own mishandling.\n- Public statement: Bondi indicated she is moving to a private sector role and will depart the DOJ in about a month.\n- Broader implications: Her removal signals a DOJ remolded to Trump\u2019s preferences, with Todd Blanche (Trump\u2019s former defense attorney) set to assume leadership in the interim.\n\nIf you\u2019re specifically tracking the Trump-DOJ clash and the April 2026 indictment landscape, this article contextualizes Bondi\u2019s role and how her departure fits into the broader shift in prosecutions and DOJ priorities described by Reuters/CNN."}, {"url": "https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/21/politics/blanche-tries-deliver-weaponization-attorney-general", "title": "Inside Todd Blanche\u2019s audition for attorney general | CNN Politics", "author": "Paula Reid, Casey Gannon", "summary": "Summary:\nThe article discusses Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche\u2019s early actions and challenges as he positions to advance Donald Trump\u2019s priorities, including prosecuting Trump\u2019s political adversaries. Key points:\n- Blanche traveled to Florida to meet with officials tied to high-profile investigations, notably the Brennan probe into former CIA director John Brennan and alleged 2017 Russian interference findings.\n- He has begun making changes to the team handling Brennan, released a report on anti-abortion protests, and is overseeing efforts to vacate convictions of some January 6 participants (Proud Boys, Oath Keepers).\n- Trump publicly supports Blanche\u2019s work, and insiders say the job appears to be his to lose, but Blanche must navigate issues that plagued Pam Bondi\u2019s tenure: low morale among prosecutors, controversy around Jeffrey Epstein files, and the risk that prosecutions of political opponents could face resistance from judges or grand juries.\n- Dissent exists within the DOJ, with some prosecutors reportedly reluctant to pursue the White House\u2019s preferred agenda, creating uncertainty about buy-in from career staff.\n- The article places Blanche\u2019s role in the broader context of continuing to pursue cases against political adversaries and maintaining momentum on sensitive investigations.\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for information linked to the April 2026 timeline or want details about specific charges, judges, or refiled cases, I can extract those exact items from the piece."}, {"url": "https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bondi-trump-fired-9.7151740", "title": "Trump fires U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi | CBC News", "author": "Thomson Reuters \u00b7 Posted: Apr 02, 2026 1:24 PM EDT | Last Updated: April 2", "summary": "Summary:\n- The article reports that U.S. President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche named acting AG. Bondi said she would transition to the private sector while continuing to support the administration.\n- The dismissal follows criticism of Bondi\u2019s performance, including her handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related investigative files and investigations into Trump\u2019s critics. The move is framed as part of a broader pattern of upheaval at the Justice Department during Trump\u2019s presidency.\n- Bondi faced accusations of politicizing the DOJ and pursuing investigations of political opponents, while she maintained she would not politicize the department.\n- The piece notes that this is part of a trend where several attorneys general under Trump were pushed out or resigned after failing to align with his expectations.\n\nRelevance to user query (The Hill, Comey, DOJ clash, indictment context):\n- The story focuses on Bondi\u2019s firing and DOJ-White House dynamics, not on the specific Hill/Comey/indictment details you asked about.\n- If you\u2019re looking for coverage of Trump\u2019s DOJ clashes, indictments, and judges/refile status through April 2026 (as per your query), this article provides background on personnel upheaval but does not provide the Reuters/AP-style specifics you asked for (indictment charges, judges, refiled cases, or April 2026 outcomes).\n- For the precise items in your query (indictments, charges, judges, refiles) you may want to consult the latest Reuters/AP coverage or official DOJ statements around April 2026.\n\nKey takeaways:\n- Bondi removed as AG; Todd Blanche to serve as acting AG.\n- Move described as reaction to perceived performance issues and Epstein-file handling.\n- Bondi\u2019s tenure cited for politicization concerns and aggressive investigations of Trump critics.\n- Part of a broader pattern of DOJ upheaval under Trump."}, {"url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/19/doj-exodus-lawyers-trump/89401004007/", "title": "Make America Safe Again? DOJ sees mass exodus of lawyers under Trump", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- Article reports a large exodus of DOJ lawyers after Trump\u2019s return to office: more than 3,300 attorneys left from his first day back through February 2026, while roughly 800 were hired.\n- Exits spanned decades of experience (average tenure ~14 years; ~740 held leadership roles) and affected a broad range of priorities, including tax enforcement, anti-narcotics, white-collar crime, national security, environmental enforcement, and civil rights.\n- Former DOJ insiders warn the departures could have lasting, destabilizing effects on prosecutions and the department\u2019s ability to enforce the law for years.\n- DOJ and White House defend the department\u2019s strength and efficiency, citing ongoing prosecutions, a low murder rate, cartel dismantlements, fentanyl removals, and Supreme Court victories; DOJ asserts over 10,000 lawyers remain to uphold public safety.\n- Notable context: criticism around transparency on Epstein files and concerns about politicization of the department under Trump are mentioned as broader backdrop to the staffing exodus.\n\nHow this relates to the user query:\n- The user query mentions Comey, Trump, DOJ clash, later indictment details, charges, judges, and April 2026. The article focuses on DOJ staffing exodus under Trump and its potential impact on prosecutions, rather than specific indictments, charges, or court rulings. It provides context on institutional capability during the period of frequent political/legal contention but does not detail new charges or a particular indictment.\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for specifics on Comey-Trump DOJ clashes, latest indictment charges, or judge dismissals/refiles in April 2026, I can fetch a focused briefing with: \n- any new indictments or refiles\n- key judges involved and any notable rulings or dismissals\n- how staffing changes might influence ongoing prosecutions relevant to those cases\n- cross-references to Reuters/AP coverage for aligned details."}, {"url": "https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2026/04/28/eeuu/james-comey-imputado-departamento-de-justicia-trax", "title": "El Departamento de Justicia imputa por segunda vez al exdirector del FBI, James Comey | CNN", "author": "Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand, Kristen Holmes", "summary": "Summary:\n- The article reports that James Comey, former FBI director, was indicted for a second time by the U.S. Department of Justice in April 2026.\n- The charges relate to a controversial post featuring seashells arranged to form the numbers \u201c86 47,\u201d which critics said threatened President Donald Trump (the 47th president). The incident previously prompted an interview with CNN and drew scrutiny from the Secret Service and other officials.\n- Comey\u2019s post was interpreted by some as a call to harm or remove Trump, leading to an investigation and a formal interrogation by Secret Service agents in Washington, D.C. He later removed the post and explained he intended it as a political message without realizing it could be construed as a threat.\n- The article places the indictment in the broader context of political disputes, noting Trump\u2019s allies\u2019 push to prosecute opponents and describing the second legal move against Comey as part of that pattern.\n- For specifics beyond the timeline and charges (e.g., exact statutes, judge decisions, or refiled counts), see the cited sources (Reuters, AP) and follow-up court documents."}, {"url": "https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/17/politics/prosecutor-running-john-brennan-investigation-removed?Date=20260417&Profile=CNN%2Ccnn", "title": "John Brennan probe: Justice Department removes lead prosecutor | CNN Politics", "author": "Evan Perez, Hannah Rabinowitz", "summary": "Summary:\n- This CNN article reports that the Justice Department removed lead prosecutor Maria Medetis Long from the probe into John Brennan, a long-time critic of Donald Trump. The move comes after pressure from Trump to charge Brennan quickly.\n- The Brennan investigation, centered on Brennan\u2019s 2017 congressional testimony about Russia\u2019s interference in the 2016 election, has seen subpoenas and witness interviews as prosecutors push forward, though officials have signaled charges may be months away.\n- The DOJ framed the personnel change as routine, noting reshuffling to allocate resources efficiently. The disclosure suggests the case is progressing but not on an accelerated timeline favored by Trump allies.\n- The piece notes tensions between investigators who doubt a strong case and top DOJ leadership pushing for timely indictments; top officials remained engaged with the Florida-based prosecutors handling the case.\n\nRelevance to user query:\n- The user\u2019s query references multiple items (Comey, Trump DOJ clash, prosecution, 86/47-second indictment, April 2026 details, Reuters/AP) and seeks indictment charges, judge actions, dismissals/refilings, and details. The article directly addresses DOJ dynamics, leadership changes in the Brennan probe, and the pace/goals of potential charges, which aligns with the interest in indictment timing, charges, and prosecutorial disputes. While the piece focuses on Brennan, it reflects broader DOJ pressure dynamics relevant to April 2026 reporting."}, {"url": "https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/17/politics/prosecutor-running-john-brennan-investigation-removed?bt_ee=jHJPaUYiF6a76Tc%2FkZv2WIIm0C%2FVkEbMgOOvKsMPJ7%2BjUlEaCx79luR6vQYSHwSQ&bt_ts=1776440829372", "title": "John Brennan probe: Justice Department removes lead prosecutor | CNN Politics", "author": "Evan Perez, Hannah Rabinowitz", "summary": "Summary:\n- The DOJ has reassigned lead prosecutor Maria Medetis Long from the John Brennan probe, a politically sensitive investigation focused on the 2017 intelligence assessment of Russian interference.\n- The move follows pressure from Donald Trump and concerns over speed vs. strength of the case. Acting AG Todd Blanche has intensified efforts to satisfy the president\u2019s demands.\n- Medetis Long\u2019s team conducted subpoenas and document requests, with new witness interviews underway; prosecutors have signaled the case may not proceed as quickly as some officials expect.\n- The probe, based in the Southern District of Florida, centers on whether Brennan lied to Congress about the intelligence assessment; Brennan previously testified in 2017 that Russia brazenly interfered in the 2016 election.\n- The article notes ongoing interviews, further subpoenas, and potential for indictment, though several sources say the case remains uncertain and may take months to progress."}, {"url": "https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/02/pam-bondi-fired-attorney-general/89433774007/", "title": "Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi", "summary": "Summary:\n- News: President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi in April 2026, citing criticism over Epstein-related file handling and perceived actions against his enemies.\n- Context: Bondi was the second Cabinet member ousted in Trump\u2019s second term, following Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will serve as interim AG.\n- Reactions: Senator Chuck Grassley praised Bondi\u2019s work; he signaled readiness to confirm Trump\u2019s next nominee.\n- Epstein files issue: Bondi faced bipartisan criticism for delaying/controlling the release of Epstein-related documents. About 3 million pages were released; roughly 2.5 million remain sealed due to concerns about victims, ongoing prosecutions, or legal privileges.\n- Broader implications: The Epstein document controversy intersects with investigations abroad and ongoing political dynamics surrounding Trump\u2019s administration.\n\nRelevance to user query (The Hill / Comey-Trump DOJ clash / indictment details):\n- The article confirms Bondi\u2019s firing amid Epstein document controversies, tying to broader DOJ leadership and political action themes under Trump.\n- It notes interim leadership by Todd Blanche and situates the move within the pattern of Trump dismissals of Cabinet members in his second term."}]}

Originally published by The Hill.

Sources (19)

John Brennan probe: Justice Department removes lead prosecutor | CNN Politics

cnn.com

Inside Todd Blanche’s audition for attorney general | CNN Politics

cnn.com

Former FBI director James Comey facing second indictment, source says - The Globe and Mail

theglobeandmail.com

Analysis: Pam Bondi was destined to fail. But she also made it worse | CNN Politics

cnn.com

John Brennan probe: Justice Department removes lead prosecutor | CNN Politics

edition.cnn.com

With Comey questioning, the Trump administration again targets speech - The Washington Post

washingtonpost.com

James Comey: Prosecuting ex-FBI director for social media posts may be fruitless, legal and security experts say | CNN Politics

cnn.com

James Comey: Prosecuting ex-FBI director for social media posts may be fruitless, legal and security experts say | CNN Politics

us.cnn.com

Trump signs order banning flag-burning — a right protected by the U.S. Constitution | CBC News

cbc.ca

'Weaponization' group of U.S. officials reportedly helping Trump root out his perceived enemies | CBC News

cbc.ca

Comey under investigation for ‘threat’ to Trump on social media, officials say

washingtonpost.com

Ex-FBI director James Comey meets with Secret Service over contentious social post | CBC News

cbc.ca

Secret Service investigating ex-FBI Director James Comey's '8647' Instagram post

usatoday.com

Former FBI Director James Comey interviewed by the US Secret Service | CNN Politics

cnn.com

How Pam Bondi lost her job | CNN Politics

cnn.com

Trump fires U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi | CBC News

cbc.ca

Make America Safe Again? DOJ sees mass exodus of lawyers under Trump

usatoday.com

El Departamento de Justicia imputa por segunda vez al exdirector del FBI, James Comey | CNN

cnnespanol.cnn.com

Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi

commanderswire.usatoday.com

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