Washington, D.C. — In a stunning and highly charged press briefing this morning, White House Chief of Staff Karoline Leavitt issued an explosive statement calling for the immediate arrest of former FBI Director James Comey, declaring that “all necessary evidence of his criminal misconduct has been compiled,” and that a formal arrest warrant could take effect “before the end of the day.”

Standing before a packed room of reporters and flanked by aides from the Office of the President, Leavitt delivered what many are calling one of the most aggressive public accusations made by a government official against a former intelligence leader in decades.

“This Is No Longer Speculation — This Is Criminal”

Leavitt’s remarks were direct and unsparing. “For years, James Comey has avoided accountability under the guise of protecting institutions. That time is over,” she stated. “Our Justice Department has reviewed evidence, whistleblower testimony, and internal documents that confirm deliberate, unlawful conduct — and we will not stand by and allow a two-tiered system of justice to persist.”

While she did not specify the exact charges, Leavitt referred to multiple alleged infractions, including:

Falsifying official records

during the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign in 2016

Unauthorized dissemination of classified material to the media

Obstruction of justice related to internal communications during his tenure

“This is no longer speculation — this is criminal,” Leavitt declared, pausing briefly as the press scrambled to absorb her claims.

A Long-Brewing Battle Comes to a Head

The animosity between Trump allies and James Comey is nothing new. Comey, who was fired by then-President Trump in 2017, has been a vocal critic of the administration and a symbol for many Democrats of resistance against Trump’s perceived abuses of power.But for Republicans — particularly those aligned with Trump’s populist base — Comey represents what they describe as the “deep state,” an entrenched network of unelected officials accused of using federal institutions for political ends.
Leavitt, a rising GOP figure known for her sharp messaging and media prowess, has increasingly taken on a role as the administration’s principal spokesperson against such internal actors. Today’s briefing marked her most forceful effort yet.

“No One Is Above the Law — Not Even a Former FBI Director”
Reporters pressed Leavitt for more details, including whether charges had officially been filed and if the Department of Justice would be issuing a public indictment.

Leavitt, careful with her wording, replied, “The process is underway, and the American people will not have to wait long for the outcome. I will not comment on sealed documents, but I can assure you: justice is coming.”

She continued, “No one — no matter their title, legacy, or media relationships — is above the law. Not even a former FBI Director.”

Her remarks sparked a media firestorm, with networks immediately breaking into live coverage and legal analysts rushing to interpret the legal implications of her statements.

Comey Responds: “Desperation Dressed Up as Justice”
Shortly after the press conference, James Comey issued a public statement via his legal team. In it, he dismissed Leavitt’s comments as “politically motivated fiction.”

“Karoline Leavitt’s remarks today are not based on law, fact, or justice. They are based on fear. Fear of accountability, fear of truth, and fear of history’s judgment.”

Comey added that he had not been contacted by the Justice Department and that any legitimate inquiry would be handled through “legal channels, not press theatrics.”

Legal Experts Split
In the hours following Leavitt’s statement, legal experts appeared on cable networks and social platforms to analyze what such an arrest might entail — and whether it’s legally or politically feasible.

“Publicly announcing a pending arrest without a formal indictment is unusual and possibly reckless,” said former U.S. Attorney Benjamin Carter on CNN. “But if they do, in fact, have admissible, verifiable evidence, this would be a historic moment.”

Others were more skeptical.

“This smells of political retribution,” said Marcia Eldridge, a former DOJ official under President Obama. “You don’t use the criminal justice system to settle political scores, especially against a figure as high-profile as Comey.”

Partisan Lines Harden
The announcement has predictably hardened partisan lines. Conservative leaders rallied behind Leavitt’s call, with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeting, “The walls are finally closing in — not on Trump, but on the corrupt operatives who tried to sabotage him.”

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers condemned the move. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned that “weaponizing the DOJ to pursue political enemies is the hallmark of authoritarian regimes.”

President Trump has not yet commented publicly, but sources inside the White House indicate he was “closely monitoring” the press briefing.

A Defining Moment for Leavitt
Whether or not a warrant is issued today, the moment marks a defining escalation for Karoline Leavitt, solidifying her as one of the most aggressive defenders of the Trump administration and its narrative of deep-state sabotage.

Her rhetoric is sure to fire up the Republican base, but it also raises profound constitutional and legal questions about the boundaries between political leadership and law enforcement.

As Leavitt concluded her statement, she turned to the press and said, “This is a moment of truth. We are either a nation of laws — or a nation where elites walk free while ordinary citizens suffer. We choose justice.”