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Now, those accusations have finally led to criminal charges. Despite the indictment, Comey defiantly declared, “I’m not afraid” and insists he has done nothing wrong. He is scheduled to be arraigned on October 9 in Alexandria.
Who Is Judge Michael Nachmanoff?
At 57 years old, Nachmanoff has deep roots in the federal court system of northern Virginia. Before his appointment to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, he served six years as a magistrate judge and more than a decade as a federal public defender.
His nomination to the bench came directly from Democrat Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and he was narrowly confirmed by a 52-46 vote in the Senate. Only three Republicans — Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski — crossed the aisle to support him.
A Record That Raises Questions
Conservatives are already questioning whether Nachmanoff’s past could color his judgment in this politically charged case. As a magistrate judge in 2019, Nachmanoff handled the arraignment of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two allies of Rudy Giuliani accused of campaign finance violations related to efforts in Ukraine. Both men were released on million-dollar bonds.
Even more controversial, his career as a public defender saw him representing some of the most notorious figures imaginable. His office defended al-Qaeda terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui, Somali pirates who attacked a U.S. Navy ship, and drug defendants in major federal cases. In fact, Nachmanoff once argued before the Supreme Court for more lenient sentencing under crack cocaine laws — and won.
Supporters say this background shows his commitment to due process and civil liberties. Critics counter that it signals a judicial philosophy that could favor defendants like Comey at a moment when accountability is badly needed.
High Stakes for Both Sides
Comey, who led the FBI from 2013 until Trump fired him in 2017, has long been at the center of political controversy. He defended the bureau’s handling of Hillary Clinton’s email scandal but also signed off on surveillance warrants that Republicans later exposed as politically tainted.
After his dismissal, he went on a media blitz as one of Trump’s most vocal critics — behavior that Trump has described as part of a “deep state” conspiracy to destroy his presidency. Now the tables have turned, and Comey himself is facing felony charges.
The indictment accuses him of providing false testimony to Congress and attempting to derail a probe into the FBI’s conduct. At trial, he will be defended by high-profile attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, best known for the Valerie Plame leak case and the prosecution of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
On the other side, the Justice Department has put forward U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, who now leads one of the most politically explosive cases of the decade.
What Comes Next
With Judge Nachmanoff presiding, the courtroom drama ahead will be closely watched nationwide. His career has straddled both defense and prosecution, but his rulings in this case could set the tone for how far federal officials can be held accountable for abuse of power.
Trump supporters see this as a defining test: Will a Biden-appointed judge allow justice to prevail, or will Comey’s deep-state allies find cover yet again?
