James Comey must be held accountable
Editorial | By Easton Martin | September 25, 2025
The announcement that prosecutors in Virginia are weighing charges against former FBI Director James Comey has sparked debate. Some dismiss the idea as partisan payback. But the truth is simple: accountability should not stop at the doors of the FBI, and Comey’s conduct demands a serious reckoning.
For years, Comey has managed to escape consequences despite a troubling record. He mishandled the Clinton email investigation, publicly editorializing in ways the Justice Department itself later ruled broke long-standing norms. He leaked memos of privileged conversations with President Trump to the press through a friend, a move even his defenders admit was intended to manipulate the appointment of a special counsel. And now, reports suggest prosecutors believe he may have made false statements under oath, an offense that would land any ordinary citizen before a grand jury.
The principle at stake is not political revenge. It is whether the rule of law applies equally. When a man who once wielded the FBI’s power is suspected of lying under oath, it cannot be brushed aside. If Comey is innocent, he can prove it in court. But shielding him from indictment simply because of his title or the political fallout would send a devastating message that insiders at the top of government are untouchable.
The real politicization occurred when an FBI director took it upon himself to shape the political landscape through leaks and questionable testimony. Refusing to indict despite evidence would be a clear sign that justice is selectively applied.
Prosecutors are often hesitant to move against high-profile officials because of the firestorm that follows. But inaction is just as consequential. When the public sees two standards of justice, one for elites and another for the rest, it corrodes trust in every institution. Millions of Americans already believe the system is rigged. Letting Comey off the hook would only deepen that cynicism.
This moment is not about revisiting the past but about securing the future. If we believe in accountability, then James Comey should face a grand jury like anyone else accused of perjury or misconduct. The FBI director is not above the law. Indicting him would affirm a timeless truth: in America, justice must be blind, even to power.
