Judge Delivers First Big Decision in James Comey’s Case

A federal judge ruled Friday that outside groups and individuals will not be allowed to weigh in on the criminal case accusing former FBI Director James Comey of threatening President Donald Trump through a 2025 social media post.

U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan issued an order rejecting any attempts to file friend-of-the-court briefs, known legally as amicus curiae briefs, from organizations or individuals who are not directly involved in the case.

In her order, Flanagan said both sides are already adequately represented.

“Defendant and the government are ably represented by competent counsel,” she wrote.

The ruling limits participation in what has become one of the highest-profile criminal cases involving a former senior federal law enforcement official.

Friend-of-the-court briefs allow outside parties with an interest or expertise in a case to present legal arguments or policy perspectives for a judge’s consideration, even though they are not litigants.