Lead Prosecutor Withdraws from James Comey Case Amidst DOJ Changes
The lead prosecutor in the criminal case against former FBI director James Comey has withdrawn, as indicated by a recent court filing. Matthew Petracca, from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, has been replaced by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo. The Department of Justice (DOJ) did not provide a reason for this change. Comey was indicted in April 2026 for allegedly threatening President Trump through a social media post featuring seashells arranged in a manner interpreted as a threat. He faces charges of threatening the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, with potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison. This development follows a previous failed attempt by the DOJ to prosecute Comey for allegedly lying to Congress, which was dismissed by a federal judge. 
