Former FBI Director James Comey is pictured testifying in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee in Washington.

News that a federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges of lying to Congress and obstruction has sparked reactions from a slew of high-ranking leaders across the political spectrum.

The indictment stems from testimony Comey made to Congress on Sept. 30, 2020, about the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors alleged Comey lied about whether he authorized someone at the FBI to provide anonymous information about an investigation to news outlets.

"My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system," Comey said in a video on Instagram. "I'm innocent, so let's have a trial and keep the faith my family and I have known for years."

Comey served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017, when President Donald Trump fired him amid the Russia investigation.

Trump calls Comey 'one of the worst human beings this country'

Trump celebrated the news of Comey's indictment on social media.

"JUSTICE IN AMERICA! One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former Corrupt Head of the FBI," Trump posted on Truth Social. "He has been so bad for our Country, for so long, and is now at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes against our Nation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

In subsequent posts, Trump called Comey "a dirty cop."

"Whether you like Corrupt James Comey or not, and I can’t imagine too many people liking him, HE LIED! It is not a complex lie, it’s a very simple, but IMPORTANT one. There is no way he can explain his way out of it," Trump wrote.

On Sept. 26, the president told reporters as he was leaving the White House that the charges against Comey were not retribution.

"This is about justice, not about revenge,” Trump said.

The president recently forced out the top prosecutor in eastern Virginia when he declined to bring charges against another Trump foe, New York state Attorney General Letitia James. Trump then appointed Lindsey Halligan, a former member of his criminal defense team and White House aide, to the job and Halligan pursued the indictment against Comey.

In a Sept. 20 post on Truth Social, Trump addressed Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly, saying that Comey was "guilty as hell," without explaining what Comey was allegedly guilty of. "We can’t delay any longer," and "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" Trump said.

Bondi, Patel on Comey indictment: 'No one is above the law'

Members of the Trump administration also commented on the charges. FBI Director Kash Patel called the indictment "full accountability" in a social media statement.

"Everyone, especially those in positions of power, will be held to account - no matter their perch. No one is above the law," he wrote, in part.

Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed the sentiment, writing on X, "no one is above the law."

"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," Bondi said.

Top Democrats react

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, issued a statement in which he condemned the Justice Department as “a political tool of a vengeful president.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) called Comey's indictment "a disgraceful attack on the rule of law."

"The malicious prosecution against James Comey has no apparent basis in law or fact, and lawyers of good conscience in the department know it. Anyone complicit in this malignant corruption will face accountability," Jeffries said in a statement.

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 election, issued a statement saying "the rule of law must prevail."

"I’ve had my differences with James Comey in the past, but I can spot trumped-up charges a mile away," Kaine said.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reactions pour in over Comey indictment. Here's what key figures said.

Reporting by Melina Khan, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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