The Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former national security adviser John Bolton in separate cases, prompting warnings from legal experts and former prosecutors about the politicization of federal law enforcement.
Federal prosecutors have pursued three high‑profile cases in recent weeks. In Virginia, a grand jury indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two counts tied to his Sept. 30, 2020 Senate testimony; he has pleaded not guilty. In a separate Eastern District of Virginia case, New York Attorney General Letitia James was charged with bank fraud and making false statements related to a 2020 mortgage; she has also pleaded not guilty. And in Maryland, a grand jury charged former national security adviser John Bolton with 18 counts alleging unlawful transmission and retention of national defense information. The Bolton probe began before President Trump returned to office. (reuters.com)
The Bolton indictment alleges he shared more than 1,000 pages of sensitive, “diary‑like” material with two relatives while preparing his 2020 book and stored government documents at his home; prosecutors say some communications used a personal email account later compromised by actors linked to Iran. Bolton has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. Each count carries up to 10 years in prison. (washingtonpost.com)
In the James case, prosecutors say she misstated her intent to occupy a Norfolk, Va., property as a secondary residence to obtain better loan terms, then rented it out—conduct they allege saved her roughly $19,000 in interest. James has called the prosecution retaliatory and vowed to fight it. She was arraigned Oct. 24 in Norfolk federal court. (reuters.com)
Comey’s defense—led by former Chicago U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald—has moved to dismiss, arguing selective and vindictive prosecution and challenging the authority of the prosecutor who brought the case. Prosecutors, for their part, have questioned whether Fitzgerald faces a conflict stemming from past events, a claim his team disputes. A trial date in early 2026 has been tentatively set, though pretrial litigation could affect the schedule. (washingtonpost.com)
The appointments behind two of the cases are drawing scrutiny. After forcing out the prior top federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, the administration installed Lindsey Halligan—formerly a Trump personal attorney and White House aide—as interim U.S. attorney. Halligan’s lack of prosecutorial experience and the mechanics of her interim appointment have become central to defense motions by both Comey and James, who argue her service violates federal appointment rules; the Justice Department has defended her authority. A related hearing is scheduled in the Fourth Circuit. (washingtonpost.com)
Concerns about the department’s independence have been amplified by an earlier episode in New York. In April, a federal judge dismissed—“with prejudice”—a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams after the department sought to drop the prosecution, a move the court said appeared tied to broader immigration‑enforcement considerations. Multiple prosecutors resigned in protest before the dismissal. (aljazeera.com)
On Slate’s Amicus podcast on Oct. 25, former U.S. attorney Joyce White Vance discussed the new prosecutions and argued that using criminal cases against political adversaries threatens the Justice Department’s long‑standing presumption of regularity. Vance’s book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable, was published Oct. 21 by Penguin Random House. (podbean.com)