Inside the Dramatic, Chaotic Indictment of Trump’s Arch-Nemesis
In a move that stunned legal experts and shook the foundations of federal law enforcement, former FBI Director James Comey has been criminally indicted—marking the first major prosecution in what insiders describe as President Trump’s systematic campaign of political retribution. The indictment, secured on September 26, 2025, by newly appointed U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, capped a five-day frenzy inside the Justice Department that exposed deep fractures, resignations, and a president laser-focused on punishing his enemies.
How It Unfolded: A Timeline of Retribution
What began as frustration over stalled investigations in mid-July exploded into a full-blown political purge by late September. Key events include:
- Mid-July 2025: Trump grows impatient with DOJ’s pace; adviser William Pulte fuels suspicions about U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert.
- Sept 19: Siebert resigns after refusing to indict Comey without sufficient evidence.
- Sept 21: Trump publicly demands Attorney General Pam Bondi “act now” against Comey, Schiff, and Letitia James.
- Sept 26: Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump defense lawyer with minimal prosecutorial experience, secures a bare-bones indictment against Comey.
Key Players in the Comey Indictment
| Figure | Role | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | President | Publicly demanded prosecution; called Comey “worse than a Democrat” |
| Lindsey Halligan | New U.S. Attorney, EDVA | Indicted Comey within days of appointment; signed paperwork alone |
| Erik Siebert | Former U.S. Attorney | Resigned rather than pursue weak case |
| Ed Martin | DOJ “Weaponization” Task Force Lead | Pushed for rapid indictments of Trump critics |
| Troy Edwards Jr. | Career Prosecutor | Quit after indictment; married to Comey’s daughter |
A Department in Disarray
According to more than a dozen current and former officials, morale in the Eastern District of Virginia—a critical hub for national security cases—has collapsed. Career prosecutors drafted defensive memos, contacted law firms for backup jobs, and questioned the legality of leadership directives. The Comey indictment passed by the slimmest possible margin: just 14 of 23 grand jurors voted to indict, barely clearing the 12-vote threshold.
[INTERNAL_LINK:weaponization of justice] concerns have surged as Trump allies like Ed Martin and William Pulte—neither career prosecutors—bypass traditional channels to influence cases.
Infographic: Anatomy of a Political Indictment
Caption: Newly appointed U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan outside the Albert V. Bryan Courthouse in Alexandria, Va. (Credit: The New York Times)
