FBI Agent Disciplined for Refusing Role in Comey Surrender Plan

An FBI agent was disciplined after refusing to participate in the planned surrender and arrest of former FBI Director James Comey, according to a source familiar with the matter. Comey was indicted last week on charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. Prior to the unsealing of the indictment, agents were asked to take part in an early morning surrender, which was likely to attract media attention. When one agent declined, disciplinary action was taken, the source said. Following the indictment by the grand jury, the federal court in Northern Virginia issued a summons for Comey to appear in court, meaning he was not arrested prior to his arraignment and is required to attend his first court appearance on Thursday to face the charges. FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the situation, stating, > "In this @fbi, follow the chain of command or get relieved." An attorney for Comey did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. The public discourse surrounding the Justice Department's handling of Comey's charges is expected to become part of the court proceedings as he potentially heads to trial. Comey is anticipated to plead not guilty and has publicly stated he is "innocent" and desires a trial. Both charges are connected to his September 30, 2020, testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. A source indicated that the indictment for lying to Congress relates to the FBI's "Arctic haze" leak investigation, where classified information appeared in four different newspaper articles. The indictment was swiftly issued after Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide and strong ally of President Donald Trump, assumed the role of top federal prosecutor in Virginia's eastern district. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other federal prosecutors had expressed concerns about the strength of the case, sources told CNN. A person familiar with Halligan's decision to charge Comey told CNN that she did not intend to make a spectacle of Comey's indictment, opting against a perp walk, raid, arrest, TV appearances, interviews, or any spectacle, and stated there was no special treatment either way.