Reed Rebukes Trump’s Pressure Campaign to Indict James Comey on False Statement Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI -- After President Donald Trump ordered U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey and other individuals who President Trump has labeled his 'enemies,' and after President Trump pressured Erik Siebert, the now former-U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to resign because Siebert refused to prosecute them, and after Trump named a White House staffer with zero prosecutorial experience as Seibert's replacement to rush the prosecution, Mr. Comey has been indicted by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on two counts of making false statements and obstruction of justice.

In a major departure from DOJ norms, the former White House aide and newly installed acting U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia personally presented the case to the grand jury, rather than long-serving assistant U.S. Attorneys, who usually make these presentations to the grand jury, and who reportedly raised concerns about the case.

This stunning development comes on the heels of President Trump sending a written communication to Attorney General Pam Bondi via Truth Social that addressed her directly as "Pam" and demanded that action be taken against Comey and others. President Trump wrote: "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility," and "They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!) OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!"

Mr. Comey has denied wrongdoing.

Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

"This is yet another instance of President Trump abusing power, this time by firing and forcing professional prosecutors to try and put one of his perceived enemies in jail.

"He is seeking vengeance to settle a personal grudge. We are supposed to be a nation of laws in which criminal investigations are conducted impartially. The law must be applied equally and fairly to everyone without any political bias.

"I have little faith that this prosecution meets that standard. At the same time, I do have faith that a judge and jury will follow the law and the evidence and that justice will run its course.

"There must be an investigation into how President Trump has corrupted the Department of Justice and perverted the rule of law."

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