FBI Director Kash Patel signaled Saturday that the Trump administration is far from finished pursuing legal action against former FBI Director James Comey, even after a federal judge threw out the perjury case against him last week. Patel’s comments suggest the administration is preparing additional moves in what has become a high-profile clash between Trump’s Justice Department and officials the president has long accused of misconduct.
Comey was indicted in late September by prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice, stemming from allegations that he lied under oath during testimony before Congress. His indictment was part of a broader effort launched after President Donald Trump pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue cases against political figures he argued had weaponized government power against him—among them Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Both pleaded not guilty.
But last week, U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the charges against Comey and James, ruling that Trump-appointed interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan lacked lawful authority to bring the indictments. The court found that Halligan—who had previously worked as Trump’s personal real estate attorney and had no prosecutorial experience—was improperly installed in the role after her predecessor refused to move forward with the cases due to insufficient evidence. The ruling criticized Halligan’s handling of the case, noting that her errors may have jeopardized the prosecution from the start.
Despite the setback, the dismissal was issued “without prejudice,” meaning prosecutors are free to refile the charges. The Justice Department has already filed an appeal.
Patel, speaking with The Epoch Times, emphasized that the administration has “numerous options to proceed” and fully intends to use them. “We’re executing on all those options. So, we’re not done,” he said. Pressed for details, Patel suggested developments are imminent: “Stay tuned for right after Thanksgiving and you’ll see multiple responses, in my opinion.”
Comey, for his part, blasted the prosecution after the dismissal, calling it “fundamentally un-American” and accusing the Justice Department of acting out of “malevolence and incompetence.” The former FBI director has long been a lightning rod for controversy over his role in investigations during and after the 2016 election.
Halligan’s appointment and involvement in the case drew heavy scrutiny, especially given that she was chosen only after U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert declined to prosecute. Critics argued that the appointment was politically motivated and lacked proper legal grounding—concerns that ultimately led to the dismissal of the indictment.
However, Patel’s remarks underscore the administration’s determination to continue pursuing Comey through legally permissible avenues. With the Justice Department appealing the ruling and signaling an intent to revisit the charges, the fight is far from over.
As Patel put it: the prosecution of James Comey may have been halted temporarily, but the door remains wide open for the Trump administration to try again.
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