
«I hope, frankly, there are others.»
More will follow

Donald Trump, speaking to reporters the day after the shocking indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, one of his political opponents, declared that more will follow, saying: «They’re corrupt.»
The expiration of the statute of limitations

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on September 25 by a federal grand jury in Virginia on charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The indictment came just days before the expiration of the five-year statute of limitations, raising eyebrows about its timing.
No prior experience

It occurred under highly unusual pressure: Donald Trump had just forced out several Justice Department officials to install one of his personal attorneys, Lindsey Halligan, as interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, a move widely seen as an attempt to push forward charges against Comey, especially since she had no prior experience as a federal prosecutor before this appointment.
Accusations of political interference

This episode has intensified accusations of political interference in the U.S. justice system and underscored the fraught relationship between Trump and federal institutions, a fact that does not appear to trouble Trump.
«corrupt, radical left Democrats»

According to CNN, he predicted more indictments would soon follow, stating: «I think there will be others», and adding: «These were corrupt, radical left Democrats.»
A personal revenge?

Donald Trump presents his own justification for this unprecedented move, even as he is sharply criticized for using the justice system as a tool of personal revenge: «They weaponized the Justice Department like nobody in history. What they’ve done is terrible. I hope, frankly, there are others, because you can’t let this happen to a country.»
A statement

Former FBI Director James Comey released a defiant video statement on Instagram shortly after his indictment, forcefully rejecting the charges and casting the case as a dangerous politicization of justice.
The Department of Justice

In the video, Comey declared, «I’m innocent,» and urged that the matter be resolved openly in court: «So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.» Comey acknowledged his deep concern for the Department of Justice, saying, «My heart is broken for the Department of Justice,» but emphasized his enduring confidence in the federal justice system.
A larger test

With a resolute tone, Comey vowed, «We will not live on our knees,» framing the indictment as part of a larger test of democratic resilience. He also invoked the words of his daughter, Maurene Comey, a former federal prosecutor who was recently dismissed, quoting her warning that «fear is the tool of a tyrant.»
Vote

Comey closed his message with an appeal to civic engagement: «I hope instead you are engaged, you are paying attention and you will vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does.»
The earliest days

The feud between Donald Trump and former FBI Director James Comey dates back to the earliest days of Trump’s presidency.
The 2016 election

Comey, who had been appointed FBI director in 2013 by President Barack Obama, was leading the bureau’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible ties to Trump’s campaign. In May 2017, Trump abruptly fired him, later admitting in an interview that the Russia investigation was on his mind when he made the decision. The dismissal sparked a political firestorm and led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Unfit for office

Since then, Trump has repeatedly attacked Comey, calling him «dishonest» and accusing him of trying to undermine his presidency. Comey, in turn, has publicly criticized Trump’s leadership, describing him as «unfit for office» and warning that Trump’s actions threatened democratic institutions.
The «deep state»

The conflict deepened over the years, with Trump framing Comey as part of a so-called «deep state» working against him, while Comey cast himself as defending the integrity of the FBI and the rule of law.