Politics & World • Government

James Comey

James Brien Comey Jr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

James Brien Comey Jr. is an American lawyer and former government official who served as the seventh director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017. He previously held senior Justice Department posts, including deputy attorney general, and later became a public commentator and author. His FBI tenure drew widespread attention because of the bureau’s investigations into Hillary Clinton’s email use and possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Early life and education

Comey was born in Yonkers, New York, and studied at the College of William & Mary and the University of Chicago Law School. He was trained as a lawyer before entering federal prosecution.

Justice Department career

He served as a federal prosecutor and later became U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. In 2003, he was appointed deputy attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice.

FBI director

Comey was sworn in as FBI director in 2013 and led the bureau during several high-profile investigations. His handling of the Clinton email inquiry and the Russia investigation drew significant political controversy.

Later public life

After leaving the FBI in 2017, Comey became an author and public speaker. His books and public comments have continued to attract attention because of his role in major political events.

Key facts

Served as the seventh director of the FBI from September 4, 2013, to May 9, 2017.
Previously served as deputy attorney general under President George W. Bush.
His FBI leadership became central to the 2016 U.S. election controversy involving Hillary Clinton’s emails.
He was dismissed by President Donald Trump in May 2017.
He has written books including A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership and Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust.

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Canadian context

James Comey’s most prominent role was as FBI director during investigations that affected U.S.-Canada political and security discussions, but he has no major direct Canadian public office or Canadian-based career.

Frequently asked questions

Who is James Comey?

James Comey is an American lawyer and former federal law enforcement official best known for serving as FBI director from 2013 to 2017.

When was James Comey born?

He was born on December 14, 1960, in Yonkers, New York.

What was James Comey’s role in the FBI?

He was the seventh director of the FBI and led the bureau from September 2013 until May 2017.

Why is James Comey controversial?

His public handling of the FBI’s Clinton email investigation and related election-period decisions became politically controversial.

Who appointed and removed James Comey?

Barack Obama appointed him as FBI director, and Donald Trump later fired him in 2017.

Has James Comey written any books?

Yes. He has written A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership and Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust.

References

Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors/james-b-comey
Supports: Office dates, position as seventh FBI director, education, and career background.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Comey
Supports: Birth date/place, career summary, and major controversies.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Comey
Supports: Appointment as FBI director, tenure dates, and overview of controversies.
Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/political-figures/james-comey
Supports: Career overview, FBI tenure, and later public life.
National Press Foundation — https://www.nationalpress.org/speaker/james-comey/
Supports: Books, post-government work, and biographical details.
Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/James_Comey
Supports: Appointment and Senate confirmation details, plus firing date.