Vice President J.D. Vance on Sunday dismissed accusations that politics played a role in the indictment of former FBI Director James B. Comey, calling such claims “preposterous.”
Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Mr. Vance argued that the charges stem from wrongdoing, not partisan retaliation.
“We’re not letting politics drive this,” he said. “Unfortunately for James Comey, when I look at this indictment, I see a man who lied under oath. He’ll have his day in court and the chance to present his case before a jury.”
Mr. Vance emphasized that the indictment was rooted in evidence, not political vendettas.
“The idea that this is politically motivated is absurd when you read the details. The facts clearly show that Comey lied to Congress multiple times,” he said.
The Justice Department indicted Mr. Comey last week on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice related to his 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, handed down the indictment.
The charges came just days after President Trump had publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue legal action against Mr. Comey, Sen. Adam B. Schiff of California and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Mr. Comey has denied any wrongdoing. In a video posted to social media, he said, “My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine living any other way. We will not live on our knees — and you shouldn’t either.”
Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the indictment, accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing the Department of Justice.
“This is a complete political hatchet job,” Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat, said during an appearance on MSNBC. “I think it’s going to blow up in the Trump administration’s face.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump celebrated the indictment on Truth Social, writing, “JUSTICE IN AMERICA! One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey.”
The charges were filed by Lindsey Halligan, the newly appointed U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, despite internal objections from career prosecutors.
Her predecessor, Erik S. Siebert, resigned after refusing to indict Mr. Comey, citing insufficient evidence to support the indictment.
On Sunday, Mr. Vance suggested the Comey case is just the beginning.
“There will certainly be more indictments over the next three and a half years of the Trump administration,” he said. “But unlike the Biden administration — which indicted not just the president but others simply for engaging in politics or policymaking — we’re committed to letting the law and facts guide our actions, not political motivations.”
