Rise to Success: Career Highlights of James Comey

How James Comey built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

James Brien Comey Jr. is an American lawyer who served as the seventh director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2013 until his controversial termination in May 2017. Comey's tenure was marked by high-profile investigations, including those related to Hillary Clinton's email practices and Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election. His firing by President Donald Trump led to accusations of obstruction of justice and fueled further investigations into Russian interference. Before becoming FBI Director, Comey served as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and as the United States Deputy Attorney General in the George W. Bush administration.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

July 2013: Comey's FBI Confirmation Hearing

During his July 2013 FBI confirmation hearing, James Comey stated that the U.S. government's oversight mechanisms have sufficient privacy protections.

November 2014: Comey's Reminder of FBI's Capacity to do Wrong

In November 2014, Yale historian Beverly Gage reported that James Comey kept a copy of the FBI request to wiretap Martin Luther King Jr. on his desk "as a reminder of the bureau's capacity to do wrong".

2016: Comey Revealed Breadth of Counterintelligence Investigation

In 2016, Comey revealed in Senate testimony the breadth of the counterintelligence investigation into Russia's effort to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

2016: Comey Testifies Russia is Greatest Threat

In 2016, James Comey testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and stated that Russia is the "greatest threat of any nation on Earth" and that they will interfere in future elections because "they know it worked" in the 2016 election. He also stated that Russia should pay a price for interfering.

January 2017: Comey's Termination Compared to Saturday Night Massacre

In January 2017, Comey's termination was immediately controversial and was compared to the Saturday Night massacre and to the firing of Acting Attorney General Sally Yates.

May 16, 2017: Comey's detailed notes of meetings and telephone calls with President Trump Reported

On May 16, 2017, it was first reported that James Comey had prepared a detailed set of notes following every meeting and telephone call he had with President Trump.

June 8, 2017: Comey Testifies to Senate Intelligence Committee

On June 8, 2017, James Comey gave public testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about his firing. He stated he believed he was fired because of the Russia investigation and that he had made contemporaneous notes about his conversations with President Trump because he was concerned Trump might lie about their meetings.

August 2017: Macmillan Publishers Acquires Rights to Comey's Book

In August 2017, Macmillan Publishers' Flatiron Books announced it had acquired the rights to James Comey's first book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership.

2017: Comey on Absolute Privacy

In 2017, James Comey, speaking at a cybersecurity conference, stated, "There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America; there is no place outside of judicial reach."

2017: Comey Gave Speech and Lectures at Howard University

In the summer of 2017, James Comey gave the convocation speech and a series of lectures at Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C.

April 17, 2018: Release Date of A Higher Loyalty

April 17, 2018 was the release date of A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership by James Comey. Release date was moved up due to scrutiny faced by the FBI during the Special Counsel investigation.

April 19, 2018: Justice Department Released Comey's Memos to Congress

On April 19, 2018, the Justice Department released 15 pages of documents to Congress which comprised partially declassified memos that James Comey made after his meetings with Trump.

2018: Comey Teaches Course on Ethical Leadership at William & Mary

In the fall of 2018, James Comey returned to his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, to teach a course on ethical leadership. He became an executive professor in education.

February 2019: Comey Published Op-Ed Suggesting Removal of Confederate Statues

In February 2019, James Comey published an op-ed in The Washington Post, suggesting that Virginia should get rid of the Confederate statues in Richmond.

2019: Comey Co-taught Course at William & Mary

In 2019, James Comey co-taught an ethical leadership course at the College of William & Mary with assistant professor Drew Stelljes during the 2018-2019 academic year.

September 30, 2020: Comey's Testimony During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

On September 30, 2020, James Comey testified during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the FBI's investigation of links between Russia and the 2016 Trump presidential campaign.