A judge appointed by President Joe Biden has been assigned to oversee the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey. The assignment took place on Thursday evening, following Comey’s indictment by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on two federal counts: making false statements and obstruction.
Comey is expected to surrender to authorities on Friday morning. His arraignment is scheduled for October 9. Former US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald will serve as his legal counsel.
US District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, who was randomly selected for the case, works at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia. According to Politico, Nachmanoff previously presided over the 2019 arraignment of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, associates of Rudy Giuliani charged with campaign finance violations. He released both men on $1 million bond.
Judge Nachmanoff has also handled cases involving individuals connected to issues that have drawn attention from supporters of former President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, he allowed the CIA to dismiss a doctor who advocated for Covid vaccinations and was targeted by some MAGA supporters.
After news of his indictment became public, Comey made a statement criticizing former President Trump. “My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way,” Comey said in a video posted online.
He continued: “We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either. Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant, and she’s right, but I’m not afraid, and I hope you’re not either.”
In another statement following the indictment, Comey declared: “I’m not afraid.” He added: “I’m innocent.” He concluded with: “Let’s have a trial.”
