Former FBI Director James Comey is back in the spotlight, facing serious charges that could land him behind bars for up to five years, according to Channel News Asia.
In a case that’s stirring up political dust in Alexandria, Virginia, Comey has been indicted for allegedly making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding, with his arraignment set for October 9, 2025, before a judge appointed by none other than Joe Biden.
The accusations date back to 2020, when prosecutors claim Comey misled Congress by denying he authorized others to act as anonymous sources for media stories about an FBI investigation.
If convicted, the stakes are high—five years in prison isn’t exactly a slap on the wrist. It’s a charge that raises eyebrows, especially given the timing and political climate.
Late on Thursday, September 26, 2025, US District Judge Michael Nachmanoff was assigned to this high-profile case through the federal system’s random assignment process.
Appointed by Biden in 2021 after a tight Senate confirmation vote of 52-46, Nachmanoff isn’t a stranger to controversy. His career in Virginia, spanning roles from federal public defender to magistrate judge, shows a man steeped in the legal trenches.
Before joining the bench, Nachmanoff spent over a decade defending the indigent, often railing against mandatory minimum sentences as overly harsh.
In a 2009 article, he co-wrote that such policies “inevitably result” in unfair punishments. Call it compassion or a progressive tilt, but it’s a stance that doesn’t always sit well with law-and-order conservatives.
In 2007, he argued before the Supreme Court in a case that gave judges more leeway to deviate from sentencing guidelines in crack-cocaine cases, spotlighting disparities that hit Black Americans hardest. It’s a noble fight to some, but to others, it’s a sign of leniency in a system that needs more backbone. Where does justice lie when the gavel falls?
Enter President Donald Trump, who’s been pushing a hardline campaign against political adversaries, and he’s not holding back on this one.
On Friday, Trump took to social media, slamming Nachmanoff as a “Crooked Joe Biden appointed Judge.” It’s classic Trump—blunt, unfiltered, and a reminder that this case isn’t just about law, but about loyalty and grudges.
Trump’s critique isn’t just hot air; it taps into a broader conservative concern about judicial appointments shaping outcomes in politically charged cases.
When a judge nominated by a Democratic president oversees a case tied to Trump’s orbit, questions of bias—fair or not—bubble up. It’s the kind of tension that keeps the public watching.
But let’s be clear: the federal system assigns cases randomly, and there’s no evidence of foul play in Nachmanoff landing this one. Still, optics matter, and for many on the right, a Biden appointee on a case involving Trump’s foes feels like a setup straight out of a political thriller. The question lingers—can the system stay above the fray?
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1968, and a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Nachmanoff has deep roots in the legal world. His career trajectory—from public defender to federal magistrate judge in 2015, and then district judge—shows a steady climb. But it’s his past rulings that draw the most attention now.
As a magistrate judge, he handled the 2019 arraignment of Rudy Giuliani’s associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, on campaign finance charges, setting their bonds at $1 million each.
More recently, in November 2024, he sentenced a former health worker to two years for illegally accessing the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s medical records. These cases show he’s no stranger to high-stakes drama.
In May 2025, Nachmanoff also ruled in favor of the Trump administration in a dispute allowing the CIA to dismiss its top doctor, a decision that irked some of Trump’s own allies over past COVID-19 vaccination policies. It’s a mixed bag—tough on some, aligned with Trump on others. Perhaps he’s not so easily pigeonholed.
Comey, for his part, isn’t backing down, declaring on September 26, 2025, that he’s confident in the judicial system and maintains his innocence. It’s a bold stance, but facing up to five years in prison, he’ll need more than confidence to sway a courtroom. The arraignment on October 9 will be the first real test of his defense.
For conservatives, this case is a litmus test—not just for Comey, but for whether the justice system can resist the pull of partisan tides. Nachmanoff’s history of advocating sentencing reform and challenging harsh penalties might suggest a softer touch, which could frustrate those who want accountability for perceived Deep State actors.