The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently reversed its previous position regarding the grand jury’s involvement in the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. Initially, U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan testified that the full grand jury had not reviewed the revised indictment before voting. However, a new court filing confirms that the grand jury did, in fact, consider and vote on the charges against Comey.
DOJ’s Shift on Grand Jury Review of Comey Indictment
On September 25, 2025, significant legal proceedings took place before Magistrate Judge Michael Nachmanoff. In these sessions, the full grand jury was said to have voted to indict Comey on two of three counts. Halligan initially indicated that the final indictment was only reviewed by the jury foreperson and one additional grand juror, leading to a contentious debate in the courtroom.
Key Developments in the Case
- Date of Proceedings: September 25, 2025
- Indictment Charges: Comey was charged with lying to Congress.
- U.S. Attorney: Lindsey Halligan is leading the prosecution.
- Defendant’s Position: Comey has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During court discussions, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons confirmed that the full grand jury did not see the final indictment before its approval. Judge Nachmanoff questioned, “Let me be clear that the second indictment…is a document that was never shown to the entire grand jury?” Lemons affirmed this claim, intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the indictment process.
Political Context and Implications
Comey’s indictment comes after former President Donald Trump appointed Halligan, a White House staffer lacking prosecutorial experience, to lead the case. Trump had previously called for immediate action against Comey, reflecting political motivations underlying the prosecution. An attorney for Comey, Michael Dreeben, argued these circumstances indicated an egregious violation of constitutional rights.
Following these revelations, public statements from DOJ officials were critical of Judge Nachmanoff, who faced accusations of personal bias. Halligan described the judge’s comments about her as unprofessional, while DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin insisted the office would remain committed to following the facts and law in this case.
Conclusion
The reversal by the DOJ regarding the grand jury’s review of the Comey indictment raises significant questions about the integrity of the indictment process. As this legal battle progresses, the implications of political influence on prosecutorial decisions will remain central to discussions surrounding the case.
