Judge Assigned in James Comey’s Criminal Case

Former FBI Director James Comey has officially been indicted on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional inquiry, igniting yet another chapter in the long and turbulent clash between Comey and former President Donald Trump.

The case will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, a Biden appointee who joined the federal bench in 2021 and now serves in Alexandria, Virginia. Comey, who continues to insist he has done nothing wrong, is expected to make his first court appearance on October 9, when his arraignment is scheduled.

A high-stakes courtroom battle

The indictment against Comey has been closely watched given his central role in the FBI’s decisions during the 2016 election and the early stages of the Russia investigation. Trump has repeatedly accused him of political bias and misconduct, making this trial not only a legal showdown but also a political lightning rod.

Who is Judge Nachmanoff?

Judge Nachmanoff brings a multifaceted background to the bench. Before his 2021 appointment, he served as a magistrate judge and also worked extensively as a public defender, representing defendants in high-profile cases and even appearing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In one notable case, he successfully argued for fairer sentencing guidelines in drug prosecutions, with the Court ruling 7-2 in favor of his position. The majority opinion, authored by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, marked a major step in sentencing reform.

Nachmanoff has also dealt with politically sensitive matters. As a magistrate, he handled the arraignments of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two former associates of Rudy Giuliani who faced campaign finance charges. His courtroom style—often described as fair yet unyielding—will be tested again as the Comey trial unfolds.

Legal teams in place

Comey’s defense will be led by Patrick Fitzgerald, a veteran prosecutor best known for handling the Valerie Plame CIA leak case. On the other side, the Justice Department has tapped Lindsey Halligan, recently elevated to lead one of its most politically sensitive divisions, to spearhead the prosecution.

Why the case matters

This trial is poised to probe the limits of executive oversight, the accountability of public officials, and the independence of federal law enforcement. With its mix of political tension and constitutional questions, the outcome could resonate well beyond the courtroom.

For now, all attention turns to Judge Nachmanoff, who will be tasked with navigating one of the most consequential and politically charged trials in recent memory.