FBI Director James Comey

FBI Director James Comey was the seventh Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), serving from 2013 to 2017. He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate with the support of Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Mitch McConnell. Comey's tenure was marked by significant investigations, including those involving Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. Prior to his appointment as FBI Director, Comey worked at the United States Department of Justice under Attorney General John Ashcroft and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

● Early Life and Education

James Comey was born in Yonkers, New York, to a family of Irish American and German American descent. He grew up in Allendale, New Jersey, and Briarcliff Manor, New York, and attended the Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, New Jersey. Comey graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1982, where he studied Chemistry and Religion, and later earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1985. During his time at the University of Chicago Law School, Comey was influenced by the works of John Stuart Mill and Reinhold Niebuhr, and developed an interest in Constitutional law and Criminal law.

● Career

After graduating from law school, Comey worked as a Law clerk for Judge John M. Walker Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and later as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York under Rudolph Giuliani and Mary Jo White. In 2002, Comey was appointed as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York by President George W. Bush, where he oversaw the prosecution of Martha Stewart and Frank Quattrone. Comey also worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to combat Terrorism and Organized crime in the New York City area. In 2003, Comey was involved in the investigation of the Enron scandal and worked with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to bring charges against Enron executives.

● FBI Directorship

Comey was appointed as the seventh Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by President Barack Obama in 2013, succeeding Robert Mueller. During his tenure, Comey oversaw the investigation of several high-profile cases, including the Boston Marathon bombing and the San Bernardino attack. Comey also worked to improve the FBI's relationships with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and implemented reforms to address issues of Racial profiling and Police brutality. In 2015, Comey launched an investigation into the Hillary Clinton email controversy, which became a major issue during the 2016 United States presidential election.

● Notable Investigations and Controversies

Comey's tenure as FBI Director was marked by several notable investigations and controversies, including the Investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and the FBI investigation into the Trump campaign. Comey also oversaw the investigation of the Orlando nightclub shooting and the Dallas police shooting, and worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address issues of Domestic terrorism. In 2016, Comey faced criticism from Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email controversy, and was accused of Partisanship by Donald Trump and his supporters. Comey's decision to reopen the investigation into Clinton's emails just days before the election was widely criticized by The New York Times and The Washington Post.

● Dismissal and Aftermath

On May 9, 2017, Comey was dismissed as FBI Director by President Donald Trump, who cited Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email controversy as the reason for his termination. The dismissal was widely criticized by Senator John McCain and Senator Lindsey Graham, and was seen as a major controversy in the Trump administration. After his dismissal, Comey testified before the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he discussed his interactions with President Trump and the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. Comey's testimony was widely covered by the media, including CNN and MSNBC, and was seen as a major development in the Russia investigation.

● Personal Life and Later Career

After his dismissal as FBI Director, Comey became a vocal critic of President Trump and his administration, and wrote a book about his experiences titled A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership. Comey has also taught at the College of William & Mary and the University of Virginia School of Law, and has worked as a Contributor for The New York Times and NBC News. In 2018, Comey was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Law by the University of Virginia, and has received numerous other awards and honors for his public service, including the National Security Medal and the Presidential Rank Award. Comey has been married to his wife, Patrice Failor, since 1987, and has five children with her. He is a resident of McLean, Virginia, and is a member of the FBI Agents Association and the National Association of Former United States Attorneys.