Comey was charged with one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice, related to Senate testimony he gave almost five years ago. A majority of grand jurors did not approve indicting him on an additional count of lying to Congress, according to court papers — an unusual development since grand juries rarely reject charges.

In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged that Comey "obstructed a congressional investigation into the disclosure of sensitive information" and made a false statement to Congress. 

"Comey stated that he did not authorize someone at the FBI to be an anonymous source. According to the indictment that statement was false," Bondi's statement read.

"No one is above the law," Bondi wrote on X. "Today's indictment reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case."

Washington — Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Thursday on two counts, marking a major escalation in President Trump's efforts to target his political opponents and use the Justice Department as part of his campaign to seek retribution against his most ardent critics.

Comey was charged with one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice, related to Senate testimony he gave almost five years ago. A majority of grand jurors did not approve indicting him on an additional count of lying to Congress, according to court papers — an unusual development since grand juries rarely reject charges.

In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged that Comey "obstructed a congressional investigation into the disclosure of sensitive information" and made a false statement to Congress. 

"Comey stated that he did not authorize someone at the FBI to be an anonymous source. According to the indictment that statement was false," Bondi's statement read.

"No one is above the law," Bondi wrote on X. "Today's indictment reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case."

Mr. Trump celebrated the indictment in a Truth Social post, calling the former FBI director — whom he fired in 2017 — "One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to."

A reporter asked the president Friday morning who "is the next person on your list" who might face charges.

"It's not a list, but I think there will be others. I mean, they're corrupt," he said. "There'll be others. That's my opinion."

Comey asserted his innocence in a video on Instagram and said, "there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump."

"My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system. And I'm innocent. So let's have a trial. And keep the faith," he said.

Comey's attorney, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, said in a statement: "Jim Comey denies the charges filed today in their entirety. We look forward to vindicating him in the courtroom."

Comey is set to be arraigned on the morning of Oct. 9 in Alexandria, Virginia. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, who was nominated by former President Joe Biden.