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DOJ officials dismiss James Comey arrest rumors ahead of arraignment

08 ottobre 2025
Riportato dall'IA

Top Department of Justice officials have dismissed rumors of a staged media arrest for former FBI Director James Comey before his scheduled arraignment. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche described the reports as distractions during an interview in Chicago. Comey faces charges related to a false statement to Congress stemming from the Trump-Russia probe.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the FBI Chicago Field Office on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel addressed swirling rumors about a potential 'perp walk' for James Comey. The former FBI director is set to appear in a Virginia courthouse on Wednesday for his arraignment on charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding, linked to the Trump-Russia investigation.

Blanche called the media speculation 'gossip,' emphasizing routine FBI procedures. 'We conduct arrests, the FBI conducts arrests at every courthouse in this country every single day of the year,' he said. He added, 'Mr. Comey has been directed to appear, and I expect that he will. But the noise from MSNBC and from retired agents or unnamed anonymous sources about perp walks is just that. It's just noise.'

Reports from outlets like Reuters and MSNBC claimed an FBI official was fired for refusing to participate in a showy arrest of Comey, though it remains unclear if an actual arrest is planned alongside the summons. Patel, speaking during a visit to support FBI personnel involved in 'Operation Midway Blitz,' an immigration enforcement effort in Chicago, labeled the rumors a 'detraction.' 'The mainstream media wants to take the eye off the ball and create theater,' Patel said. 'We're not about theater. We're about producing our results in court. And that's what you're going to see tomorrow. Start the revelation of details, and it will be forthcoming in the judicial process as everyone in America is entitled to, including Mr. Comey, and we want him to have his day in court, and it starts tomorrow.'

Fox News Digital reached out to Comey's attorney for comment but received no response. The officials' remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of the DOJ's handling of high-profile cases from the previous administration.

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