President Trump rejected accusations from his political opponents Friday that the federal indictment against former FBI Director James B. Comey had anything to do with political retribution.
“It’s about justice. It’s not revenge. It’s also about the fact that you can’t let this go on. They are sick, radical left people, and they can’t get away with it. And Comey was one of the people,” Mr. Trump said.
“These were corrupt radical left Democrats, because Comey, essentially, was worse than a Democrat. … They weaponized the Justice Department, like nobody in history. What they’ve done is terrible.”
A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted Mr. Comey on charges of lying to Congress and obstruction of justice in relation to the Russia hoax that was launched under his leadership at the bureau.
The indictment, handed up by a grand jury seated in Alexandria, Virginia, makes Mr. Comey the highest-ranking official to be charged in connection with the Russia probe.
U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan in the Eastern District of Virginia linked the indictment to accountability, ripping Mr. Comey’s actions as “a breach of public trust at an extraordinary level” and underscoring that “no one is above the law.”
SEE ALSO: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted by federal grand jury
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed that sentiment, posting on X, “No one is above the law. The American people deserve justice after years of lies and political interference.”
Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, said, “At the time of Comey’s alleged false statements and obstruction, my colleagues and I had active investigations. If the facts and the evidence support the finding that Comey lied to Congress and obstructed our work, he ought to be held accountable.”
Peter Navarro, a senior White House senior counselor who wrote the recent book “I Went to Prison So You Won’t Have To,” told the Founders’ Roundtable on Breitbart Fight Club soon after the Comey news, “If you don’t hold these SOBs accountable, they’re going to do it again and again.”
Roger Stone, the former Trump adviser, was among other conservatives lauding the indictment, posting, “The day has finally come when James Comey, the sanctimonious former FBI director, must answer for his treachery. His indictment is not vengeance. It is justice. It is the restoration of law and order after years of weaponized double standards, malicious prosecutions, and selective enforcement by the carnivorous Comey cabal that has long devoured innocent men to protect its own corrupt empire.”
Democrats hit from the other side, accusing Mr. Trump of targeting his political enemies.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, called the indictment a “disgraceful attack on the rule of law.”
SEE ALSO: Trump cheers Comey indictment, says former FBI director must ‘pay a big price’
“Donald Trump and his sycophants in the Department of Justice are completely and totally out of control and have viciously weaponized the criminal justice system against their perceived adversaries,” Mr. Jeffries said.
Sen. Jack Reed, Rhode Island Democrat, said, “He is seeking vengeance to settle a personal grudge. We are supposed to be a nation of laws in which criminal investigations are conducted impartially.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Washington Democrat, said, “Trump is weaponizing the DOJ against his political enemies. Today it is Comey, tomorrow it could be anyone he disagrees with.”
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.