Former FBI Director James Comey was accused of leaking classified information to the New York Times during Trump's first term. The US Department of Justice has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two criminal charges related to leaking information related to national defense. According to Comey's lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, the issue concerns the transfer of a classified national security document to the New York Times in 2016. According to the lawyer, "an attempt is being made to accuse Comey of crimes he did not commit." The legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case. Comey himself called the allegations "gross abuse." ——. James Comey served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017 until he was fired by Trump, whom Comey publicly criticized. Prosecutors have already filed criminal charges against Comey twice. In September 2025, he was charged with lying to Congress for his testimony in the case of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Those charges were eventually dropped against Comey. In April 2026, the Department of Justice accused Comey of making threats against the life of US President Donald Trump. The reason for this was a photograph with seashells in the shape of the numbers 8647 on the sand, published by Comey. Former FBI director denies wrongdoing.