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James Comey Charged Again, Trump Criticizes LeBron

Updated 1:07 AM ET · 2:36 AM ETConfirmed

Politics Desk

In Short: Former FBI Director James Comey faces new criminal charges for allegedly leaking national defense information, while President Trump criticizes LeBron James over his national anthem behavior.

Former FBI Director James Comey is facing criminal charges for the third time, with federal prosecutors alleging he leaked national defense information in 2016.

The charges stem from an October 5, 2016, New York Times article that reported on Yahoo's alleged assistance to U.S. email surveillance.

Comey's attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, argues that the case is 'time barred' and should be dismissed, as the government had 10 years to bring the case through a grand jury indictment.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak wrote in a filing that Comey directed staff to speak to a reporter about specific accuracy concerns related to a Reuters article, thereby illegally transferring classified information.

Comey maintains his innocence and says he is not afraid of the government, stating, 'Nothing’s changed with me. I’m still innocent. I’m still not afraid of these people, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.'

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump criticized NBA star LeBron James over his behavior during the national anthem at a recent game.

Trump, in a social media post, called James a 'TOTAL DISGRACE' and criticized his comments on social issues, including his stance on the Hong Kong protests.

James, who recently played his best game as a Sixer, defended his actions, saying, 'They could fix it, but they’d rather have controversy than quality!'

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• “Nothing’s changed with me. I’m still innocent. I’m still not afraid of these people, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary,” he said.
• “I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” Trump said of James in a social media post sharing the video.
• James said in 2019 that former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey “was either misinformed or not really educated on the situation” regarding the potential consequences of his actions when he tweeted in support of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests.

What's still developing

• With the Eagles at 2-5 and the Commanders 1-4-1, the Washington coach is expecting "two angry teams willing to fight to the last snap" for an NFC Easr win.
• Friday night was about celebrating the long history of HBCUs: “It’s only going to get bigger.” James played his best game as a Sixer, knocking down a clutch fadeaway and following VJ Edgecombe's big three-pointer with a tip-in to close the night.
• McFadden said that while it is not unusual to “initially seal a charging instrument,” those are usually sealed only to aid the apprehension of a defendant.
• A Justice Department spokesperson said in a statement that its filing was meant to “toll,” or pause, the statute of limitations.
• The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the charges were unsealed Monday (October 26) and accuse Comey of directing an individual, "through one and more co-conspirators," to disclose national defense information to a reporter for a national news publication in 2016.
• The WNBA found itself back in the crosshairs during the Finals after both Atlanta and Golden State skipped the national anthem, heading straight down the tunnel instead.
• Golka blesses members of the congregations during the recessional procession at the end of the Mass of Installation for Golka as the sixth Archbishop of Denver, March 25, 2026, at the CoBank Arena at the National Western Center in Denver.
• James Comey says he is innocent and will fight allegations that he willfully communicated national defense information during a 2016 incident, calling the Justice Department’s action an "appalling abuse." (Credit: Comey via Instagram) The Justice Department filed a criminal information against former FBI Director James Comey over allegations that he willfully communicated national defense information to an unauthorized person in connection with an alleged 2016 disclosure.
• (Federal Court, sketch artist Dana Verkouteren) Prosecutors also allege Comey conspired with others to unlawfully disclose national defense information.
• "stand up in court and fight the latest and whatever comes after this."
• Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, September 8.
• Thank you for inviting me to be a part of the CMSWR National Assembly.

Sources

• Inquirer.comlink
• BBClink
• Nbcwashingtonlink
• 650Kenilink
• Hitclink
• Castanetlink
• Kdhnewslink
• Fox Newslink
• Bluevirginialink
• Archbaltlink
• Dailysignallink
• Meadowlakenowlink
• CBS Newslink
• WarpBeat — background on Trump Demands LeBron James Apologize for National Anthem Behavior link
• WarpBeat — background on LeBron James Shows Signs of Age in 76ers Win link