Comey expects further legal scrutiny from Trump admin, criticizes 'fools who would frighten us'

"This case mattered to me personally, obviously, but it matters most because a message has to be sent. That the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. I don't care what your politics are. You have to see that as fundamentally un-American and a threat to the rule of law that keeps all of us free," he continued.

Comey went on to say that he expects the Trump administration to continue coming after him despite the legal setback. He called on Americans to "stand up" against the "fools who would frighten us," suggesting Trump is a "would-be tyrant."

Currie's ruling also threw out the DOJ's case against New York Attorney General Letitia James, citing the same reason.

"I conclude that the Attorney General's attempt to install Ms. [Lindsey] Halligan as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was invalid and that Ms. Halligan has been unlawfully serving in that role since September 22, 2025," Currie wrote.

Trump has been unable to persuade the Senate to confirm several U.S. attorneys in blue states, leading the president and Bondi to sidestep the upper chamber at times to install Trump's preferred appointees, such as Halligan. Currie's decision comes after federal judges also disqualified appointees in California, New Jersey and Nevada.

Fox News' Ashley Oliver contributed to this report.