Clinton-Appointed Judge Blocks DOJ From Accessing Evidence in Comey Case

The order shields seized files linked to Comey’s media liaison Daniel Richman until at least December 12.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

A Clinton-appointed federal judge has temporarily barred prosecutors from accessing key evidence in the ongoing criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, delaying the Justice Department’s efforts to move forward with a new indictment.

In a Saturday ruling, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the DOJ from reviewing materials seized from Comey’s longtime associate and media contact, Daniel Richman. The decision follows Richman’s motion earlier this week to prevent prosecutors from examining his files while the Trump administration’s Justice Department prepares fresh charges.

Comey was indicted in September by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on two counts — making false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding — tied to his 2020 Senate testimony about leaks to the media. Newly released emails from November 2016 show Comey personally guided Richman’s media interactions, contradicting earlier claims that he was unaware of the communications.

According to Judge Kollar-Kotelly’s order, the TRO was granted for three primary reasons:

1. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia had not yet entered an appearance or identified counsel on behalf of the government.
2. The government had not clarified who currently holds custody of the disputed material, leaving the court unable to determine the custodian’s identity.
3. The court confirmed the government had received notice of Richman’s filing, giving officials the opportunity to respond promptly.

The restraining order will remain in effect until December 12, or until further action by the court. The DOJ must respond to Richman’s motion by December 9.

Earlier this week, Comey’s case was temporarily dismissed after another Clinton-appointed judge, Cameron McGowan Currie, ruled that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan’s appointment violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. Currie further determined that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s attempt to ratify Halligan’s actions was “ineffective.”

Prosecutors have indicated they plan to refile charges against Comey following procedural corrections. Meanwhile, a grand jury in Virginia declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, who was investigated in a related case.

The latest ruling extends the legal uncertainty surrounding the former FBI director as the Trump administration pursues accountability for what it has described as years of politically motivated misconduct within the bureau.