Global food prices surged in March to a multi-month high. The United Nations warns of further increases if the Middle East conflict persists. Higher energy costs are impacting fertilizer prices, potentially leading farmers to reduce planting
‘Nothing but contempt’: Gujarat HC pulls up GPSC in Arthashastra question caseIn previous proceedings, the high court had asked GPSC to produce the original book from which the question was framed, the 1915 English translation of the Arthashastra Published on: Apr 03
NCRTC (National Capital Region Transport Corporation) has commissioned the Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor's largest fast electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Anand Vihar station. Good News For EV Owners: The long-time taken in charging the Electric Vehicles at public charging spots have
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has issued draft regulations requiring company promoters who have guaranteed corporate loans to disclose their personal wealth during bankruptcy proceedings. Under the proposal, whether these promoters file for bankruptcy voluntarily or are forced
CSK vs PBKS, Chennai Weather: Chennai Super Kings aim for a strong comeback in their first home game of IPL 2026 against Punjab Kings after a disappointing opening loss. Punjab Kings, last season's finalists, enter with momentum and a balanced squad
Neurosurgeon explains why wearing earplugs at concerts can prevent dementia: ‘Hearing loss is the no. 1 risk factor…’Exposure to loud sounds not only accelerates hearing loss, but has cognitive repercussions. Dr Juthani explains why even short term exposure is harmful. Published on: Apr 03
Enzo Fernandez will sit out Chelsea's next two games after he "crossed a line" with comments he made about his future at the club, says manager Liam Rosenior. After Chelsea's exit from the Champions League last month, Fernandez told ESPN that he did not know whether he would remain at Stamford
Of the 722 candidates contesting in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, 102, or 14% of them, have declared criminal cases against themselves, the non-governmental organisation Association for Democratic Reforms has said in a report. In the 2021 Assembly elections, 138 of 941 candidates
James Comey indictment escalates Donald Trump’s campaign to chill opposition
James Comey indictment escalates Donald Trump’s campaign to chill opposition
The U.S. criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey shatters norms of independence in federal investigations and will face significant hurdles in court, according to legal experts.
But for President Donald Trump, the final verdict may matter less than the move to exact retribution against an official who investigated him and the warning to others he sees as political enemies.
Mr. Comey, who was indicted on Thursday (September 25, 2025) on charges of false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding, led the FBI when it began an investigation into ties between Trump's 2016 campaign and the Russian government.
Mr. Comey has professed his innocence and vowed to fight the case in court.
Since Mr. Trump returned to office in January, he has used his powers as president to hamstring law firms that represented causes he dislikes, leveraged federal funding to force changes at universities and fired prosecutors who took part in investigations against him.
He has also pushed for charges against former National Security Adviser John Bolton, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff.
When asked about the Comey indictment on Friday (September 26, 2025), Mr. Trump told reporters, "I think there will be others."
The indictment marked the first time his administration used the power of criminal prosecution against a prominent adversary. It came after Trump openly demanded Comey face charges and called for the removal of a prosecutor who did not think the case was strong.
“The ripple effect from this is huge,” said Rebecca Roiphe, a law professor at New York University. “If you are someone who opposes the president or the administration or poses some kind of obstacle to its agenda, you are doing so at grave risk.”
Justice Department leaders have depicted the case as a strike against political corruption and the improper use of law enforcement. Trump and his allies have long claimed the Russia investigation was a politically biased effort to undermine his first administration.
“Today's indictment reflects this Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche denied that the Justice Department was pressured to indict Comey, telling Fox News' "America Reports" that Mr. Trump "wants us to do our job."
The case against Mr. Comey faces several legal obstacles to a potential conviction, legal experts said.
It is being led by Lindsey Halligan, a lawyer who represented Trump in civil litigation and has no previous prosecutorial experience.
In an unusual move, Halligan, whom Mr. Trump named U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, personally presented the case to a grand jury, sources told Reuters. No career prosecutors in the office signed the indictment.
Prosecutors must prove both that Comey's statement was false and that it had a substantial impact on a congressional investigation into the FBI's handling of probes into Mr. Trump and his 2016 election rival Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The indictment alleges that Mr. Comey lied when he told Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas in 2020 that he stood behind previous testimony that he had not authorized anyone at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports.
The indictment does not name the investigation or the news report at issue, but a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that it relates to Comey's alleged move to authorize his friend, law professor Daniel Richman, to share information about an investigation related to Clinton. The document does not detail the evidence gathered against Comey.
“The underlying premise of the false statement charge is at best incredibly thin,” said Bradley Moss, a lawyer specializing in national security cases.
Another potential obstacle is Trump's own intervention in the probe. Halligan's predecessor Erik Siebert, another Trump appointee, resigned under pressure after expressing misgivings about the case.
Mr. Trump then mentioned Mr. Comey by name in a social media post, demanding “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!” After the indictment, Mr. Trump wrote of Mr. Comey, “HE LIED” and “there is no way he can explain himself out of it.”
Such statements could be grist for a defense argument that the prosecution is vindictive or selective, meaning that Mr. Comey was improperly singled out for prosecution.
Legal experts said such arguments are difficult to win, but the record of Mr. Trump's actions and statements could give Mr. Comey a strong case.
The indictment against Mr. Comey comes as the Justice Department is pursuing investigations of James and Schiff, who have both played roles in investigations into Trump, over claims of mortgage fraud. Bolton is under probe for potential mishandling of classified documents.
All have denied wrongdoing.
Critics of the administration fear the Comey indictment could presage a larger effort to use criminal law against Mr. Trump's rivals and critics, part of a broader push to intimidate adversaries and stifle dissent.
It also shatters decades-old Justice Department norms that criminal investigations should be insulated from political pressure. An indictment puts a defendant at risk of prison time and even a successful defense can cost huge sums of money.
Mr. Trump successfully campaigned in 2024 in part on a vow of political retribution against those he argued had improperly targeted him and his political movement. Mr. Trump, who faced four criminal indictments during his years out of power, has long claimed that the legal system was improperly turned against him.
In July, the White House X account posted an image of Mr. Trump against a backdrop of fireworks and American flags.
“I was the hunted,” the text on the image read. “NOW I'M THE HUNTER.”
Published - September 27, 2025 02:19 pm IST
USA
Source: The Hindu
Related Posts: DOJ close to decision on charging ex-FBI chief James Comey for lying to Congress What comes next in the James Comey and Letitia James cases James Comey is DIRTY COP FBI Director Calls Maduro ‘Narcoterrorist Dictator’ As Two Men Indicted In Money-Laundering Case IPL 2026 Auction Shatters Records As Green India-England T20 World Cup semi-final shatters global digital viewership record Myles Garrett shatters Browns record with 5 Jaxon Smith-Njigba shatters Seahawks single-season receiving yards record Djokovic Shatters Federer's Iconic Record Anthony Joshua Shatters Jake Paul’s Win Streak With Brutal Miami Knockout
The controversy over Karnataka’s decision to award only grades — without marks — for the third language in SSLC examinations has intensified, with Raj Bhavan directing the state government to re-examine the policy following concerns raised by language preservation groups
3 hours ago
Parliament on Thursday passed Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, to amend certain provisions in different laws for decriminalising and rationalising minor offences to further promote ease of doing business and living. It seeks to decriminalise 717 provisions and amend 67 provisions
3 hours ago
Chinese smartphone-maker Vivo has confirmed that its Vivo T5 Pro 5G will launch in India. The tech firm confirmed the imminent launch of its latest addition to the T-lineup on Friday. Vivo is yet to reveal the launch timeline. This smartphone will succeed the Vivo T4 Pro 5G
3 hours ago
If that math holds at scale, the demand for GPUs — Nvidia's entire empire — could shrink dramatically. New Delhi: Every AI model — ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude — thinks using something called vectors. Think of vectors as the model's "memory notes." When you ask an AI a long question
3 hours ago
If inflation breaches the upper tolerance band of 6 per cent, the bank said there could be a rate hike towards the end of the year. New Delhi: The Middle East conflict and elevated oil prices will likely lead to the Reserve Bank of India maintaining the policy repo rate unchanged at 5
3 hours ago
For Kerala State volleyball players and former students of CMS College, Kottayam, Akhil GP, Muhammed Sahad S, and Anzil KA, discussions after games and practice often took the entrepreneurial route — different business endeavours they could venture into after graduation
3 hours ago
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar, who contributed a 24-ball 39 and two wickets in his team’s first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday (April 2, 2026)
3 hours ago
Maamla Legal Hai 2 Review: At a time when streaming platforms have loads of thrillers, action and horror shows/films, it is difficult to find a good slice-of-life, comedy drama. But for this weekend, you don’t have to dig deep. Why? Because Maamla Legal Hai 2 has now been released
3 hours ago
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing won a parliamentary vote on Friday (April 3, 2026) to become the country’s President, formalising his grip on political power in the war-torn nation five years after he ousted an elected government. The 69-year-old general orchestrated a 2021 coup against
3 hours ago
Gurgaon couple’s 2:30 am stroll in gated society goes viral: ‘We upgraded our life’A Gurgaon couple posted a late night walk clip at 2:30 am, calling it a lifestyle upgrade as users reacted to safety in societies. Updated on: Apr 03, 2026 5:13 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy
3 hours ago
Just seven days after he made the fateful decision to launch his coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, General Min Aung Hlaing made a promise; to hold elections, and return to civilian rule, within a year. It has taken him five years to fulfil that promise
3 hours ago
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) The CAQM Enforcement Task Force reviewed reports from 175 inspections and enforcement carried out in the National Capital Region area between March 14 and 26 at its 128th meeting. Based on the reports, closures have been proposed for 10 units
3 hours ago
Hollywood star Keira Knightley revealed on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast that her hair’s texture shifted from straight to a “funny zig-zag patch" during pregnancy. In a long conversation, she also gave voice to a phenomenon that millions of women experience but few understand
3 hours ago
The Indian Premier League has established itself as one of the premier sports leagues globally. Arun Dhumal has stated that once the current Future Tours Programme cycle concludes in 2027, talks will commence regarding the expansion of the IPL schedule
3 hours ago
Ahaan Panday has officially begun filming for his second project, an untitled action-romance directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Mumbai: Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who is known for ‘Sultan’, has flagged off the shooting of his upcoming film with Ahaan Panday
3 hours ago
Tiger Woods told police he was on the phone with “the President" immediately after his car crash in Florida and then appeared surprised when he was arrested, body camera footage released Thursday shows. Video of the immediate aftermath of last week’s rollover crash
3 hours ago
Hyundai Motor said on Friday (April 3, 2026) that exports to Europe and North Africa, which typically transit through the West Asia, were being disrupted by the conflict in the region, underscoring growing strains on global supply chains. The disruption highlights how the conflict is
3 hours ago
Indians are bracing for summer, with temperatures expected to cross 45C in some parts of the country. But the war with Iran is already putting India's $6bn bottled water industry under strain as manufacturers struggle to access crucial raw materials. Last month
3 hours ago
Kia has revealed the new Seltos hybrid for the US market and the new generation Seltos will have a hybrid powertrain for the first time. The new Seltos in the US has a hybrid which means it has a 1.6 litre petrol engine and an electric motor while also getting an AWD option for the hybrid
3 hours ago
‘Called at 1 am, help arrived in 10 minutes’: Founder lauds Delhi Police for quick response to noise complaintA founder praised Delhi Police after officers responded within minutes to a 1 am noise complaint and resolved the issue promptly. Published on: Apr 03
3 hours ago
New Delhi: In a significant development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed residents as well as non-residents to exchange Indian rupee notes at foreign exchange counters at departure halls in international airports established in the Duty-Free Area or Security Hold Area beyond the
3 hours ago
India Housing Market 2026: India’s housing market is increasingly driven by end-users, with genuine homebuyers leading demand amid rising registrations and strong growth. While investors remain active in premium segments, the overall market is now more stable, balanced
3 hours ago
The Aam Aadmi Party was focusing on “serious” national problems plaguing the country, rather than the “soft” matters discussed by MP Raghav Chadha, said the party’s Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday. His statement came soon after Chadha alleged that the AAP was “silencing”
3 hours ago
The four astronauts on the Artemis II mission have now left the Earth's orbit, after their Orion spacecraft fired its main engine for a final push towards the Moon. The five minute and 55 second engine burn, known as the translunar injection (TLI), went "flawlessly"
3 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Confused about chimney size? These 60cm chimneys by Faber, Elica, Kaff, more are ideal for most Indian homesThese chimneys come with BLDC motors that offer high suction power while
3 hours ago
CBSE has released the new school curriculum for Class 9 students on Thursday, making a third language compulsory from Class 6 starting the 2026-27 academic session. This means every student will have to study at least two Indian languages along with a third language
3 hours ago
Kerala's 2026 Assembly elections present a critical test for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the ruling LDF. Voters will decide if the current governance model can secure a third consecutive term. Economic strain and administrative fatigue are key concerns
3 hours ago
