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Justice Dept. charges James Comey again over alleged national defense information

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 26 outlets across the spectrum.

32 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Man in dark suit and red tie speaking at hearing, nameplate reading James B. Comey, Jr.
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The Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey with transmitting national defense information and conspiracy to transmit it, in what is the third criminal case the Trump administration has brought against him. The charges were filed on October 5 and became public when a federal judge unsealed the filing on Monday. Comey has not been indicted on them, and he has said he is innocent. His lawyers argue the matter was already investigated without charges and have asked for the case to be dismissed. The Justice Department said the filing preserves the allegations before the statute of limitations expires and that its investigation is ongoing.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. The Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey with transmitting national defense information and conspiracy, his third criminal case.

    Across the spectrumReported byLeft3Center3Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    NBC News, The New York Times, Al Jazeera English
    Center
    Financial Times, The Hill, Straight Arrow News
    Far Right
    Just the News, Fox News, The Western Journal

  2. The charges were filed on October 5 under seal and became public Monday when a judge unsealed the filing.

    Reported byLeft1Center1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    Al Jazeera English
    Center
    The Hill
    Far Right
    Just the News, Fox News

  3. Comey has not been indicted on the new charges.

    Reported byLeft1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    Al Jazeera English
    Far Right
    Just the News, The Western Journal

  4. Comey's lawyers say the matter was already investigated without charges and have sought dismissal.

    Reported byLeft1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    The New York Times
    Far Right
    Just the News, The Western Journal

  5. Comey has denied wrongdoing and says he is innocent.

    One outletAl Jazeera English· Left

  6. The Justice Department said the filing was made to preserve the allegations before the statute of limitations expired and that the investigation is ongoing.

    One outletFox News· Far Right

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • Comey communicated or directed the disclosure of national defense information to a reporter in 2016.

    The Justice Department alleges this in the filing. Comey says he is innocent, and his lawyers say the matter was already investigated without charges.

  • The Trump administration's cases against Comey are political retribution.

    Comey, as quoted by Al Jazeera, calls the cases political retribution. The Justice Department says the filing is a routine step to preserve allegations before the statute of limitations expires.

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports a third Justice Department charge against James Comey over alleged transmission of national defense information. Left outlets stress repeated action against a Trump critic, center outlets report it plainly, and right outlets focus on the alleged 2016 leak.

  • the left

    8 outlets

    Left-side headlines frame it as the third set of charges the Trump administration has brought against Comey, a Trump critic; the New York Times stresses the alleged leak and his lawyers' claim it was already investigated.

    Trump administration goes after James Comey for a third time bringing fresh charges
    The IndependentLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    6 outlets

    Center headlines report the Justice Department charging Comey in plain procedural terms, with the Financial Times calling it leaking national defence information and The Hill noting the third charge.

    DOJ charges Comey for third time
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    14 outlets

    Right-side headlines center the alleged 2016 disclosure or the new DOJ case, with Fox saying alleged; the Far Right Western Journal calls it a breaking leak of secrets.

    James Comey faces new DOJ case over alleged national defense disclosure
    Fox NewsFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left1

    hit with

  • Center0

    No loaded words in its own voice.

  • Right3

    outspoken Trump foeHitsNational Security Secrets

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded modifier

    outspoken Trump foeMore neutral: Trump critic

    The label defines Comey by his opposition to Trump before the charges are described, which pre-judges his standing in the case.

    Comey, an outspoken Trump foe, has been charged by Trump two times since the start of his second term.

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    HitsMore neutral: charges

    ‘Hits’ casts a charging decision as an attack, adding drama that the filing itself does not state.

    DOJ Hits James Comey With New Espionage Act Charges — but There's a Catch

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    hit withMore neutral: faces

    The phrase presents the charges as a blow landing on Comey, where neutral wording would simply report that he faces them.

    Former FBI director James Comey hit with third set of charges under Trump

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Sensational language

    National Security SecretsMore neutral: national defense information

    The word secrets adds drama beyond the documented term national defense information used in the charges.

    Breaking: Comey Charged for Reportedly Leaking National Security Secrets in 2016

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

8 outlets

Leads with

  • third set of charges under Trump
  • Comey as a Trump critic
  • not yet indicted
  • Comey's denial and claims of retribution

Leaves out

  • Justice Department statement on the statute of limitations

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 8 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
  • NPRLeft

    DOJ brings criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey for third time

    The Justice Department has brought criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey for the third time.

    Read at NPR (opens in a new tab)
  • The GuardianLeft

    Justice department charges ex-FBI director James Comey for third time

    Comey, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, accused of leaking information related to US national defense The justice department charged former FBI director James Comey on Monday with two counts of leaking information related to national defense, the third time the Trump …

    Read at The Guardian (opens in a new tab)
  • CBS NewsLeft

    DOJ trying to charge Trump-foe James Comey for third time, records show

    The Justice Department is working to bring a third criminal case against former FBI director James Comey, court records show. He said, "I'm still innocent. I'm still not afraid of these people and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. …

    Read at CBS News (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from CBS News
  • Al Jazeera EnglishLeft

    Former FBI director James Comey Loaded verb“hit with”The phrase presents the charges as a blow landing on Comey, where neutral wording would simply report that he faces them.More neutral: facesDisagree with this highlight? third set of charges under Trump

    Comey, who was fired during Trump's first term, has been accused of unlawfully divulging national security information

    Read at Al Jazeera English (opens in a new tab)
  • BloombergLeft

    DOJ Accuses Ex-FBI Director Comey of Sharing Defense Secrets

    The US Justice Department accused former FBI Director James Comey of illegally directing the sharing of secret national defense information 10 years ago, according to a court filing unsealed on Monday.

    Read at Bloomberg (opens in a new tab)
  • The IndependentLeft

    Trump administration goes after James Comey for a third time bringing fresh charges

    Comey responded to the fresh charges with an Instagram video

    Read at The Independent (opens in a new tab)
  • NBC NewsLeft

    James Comey faces two new federal charges

    Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged by federal prosecutors with transmission of national defense information and conspiracy to transmit national defense information. NBC News’ Ryan Reilly explains the charges.

    Read at NBC News (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from NBC News
  • The New York TimesLeft

    Justice Dept. Brings More Charges Against Comey, Accusing Him of Leaks

    Lawyers for Mr. Comey said that the case centers on an issue that had already been investigated and had not led to charges, of a purported leak of national security information to The Times in October 2016.

    Read at The New York Times (opens in a new tab)

From the center

6 outlets

Leads with

  • Justice Department charges
  • third time charged
  • charges filed Oct. 5 and unsealed

Leaves out

  • Comey's denial of wrongdoing
  • Justice Department statement on the statute of limitations

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 6 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

From the right

14 outlets

Leads with

  • alleged 2016 national defense disclosure
  • Justice Department statute-of-limitations filing
  • Comey's earlier prosecutions
  • judge's ruling on the firing of Comey's daughter

Leaves out

  • Comey's denial of wrongdoing

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 14 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • TownhallFar Right

    James Comey Indicted for Violation of the Espionage Act

    Former FBI Director James Comey has received his third federal indictment, this time for violating the Espionage Act by leaking national defense information to a reporter.

    Read at Townhall (opens in a new tab)
  • Breitbart NewsFar Right

    Ex-FBI Director James Comey Charged with Federal Crimes in New Case

    Ex-FBI Director James Comey has been charged with federal crimes for actions he took in distributing national defense information to an individual not entitled to receive it, marking the third case filed by Department of Justice prosecutors against him.

    Read at Breitbart News (opens in a new tab)
  • One America NewsFar Right

    DOJ charges fmr FBI Director James Comey for a third time over alleged sensitive material leak

    Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey has been charged for a third time with federal crimes, this time for knowingly communicating national defense information to an unauthorized recipient.

    Read at One America News (opens in a new tab)
  • Hot AirFar Right

    NEW: Comey Indicted for Nat-Sec Leaks to Media

    Former FBI director James Comey faces yet another indictment from the Department of Justice. This one may be more difficult to shake than the supposed "8647" threat against Donald Trump. …

    Read at Hot Air (opens in a new tab)
  • The Epoch TimesFar Right

    Comey Charged for Alleged Unauthorized Disclosure of National Security Information

    A criminal information filed in the case accused former FBI Director James Comey of leaking sensitive data.

    Read at The Epoch Times (opens in a new tab)
  • The Western JournalFar Right

    Breaking: Comey Charged for Reportedly Leaking Sensational language“National Security Secrets”The word secrets adds drama beyond the documented term national defense information used in the charges.More neutral: national defense informationDisagree with this highlight? in 2016

    The Department of Justice charged former FBI Director James Comey with alleged transmission of national defense information and conspiracy to transmit national defense information, according to court documents made public

    Read at The Western Journal (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily CallerFar Right

    James Comey Indicted Over Alleged National Security Leak To Reporter

    Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey was charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to charging documents unsealed Monday. …

    Read at The Daily Caller (opens in a new tab)
  • Washington ExaminerRight

    James Comey charged with allegedly leaking national defense information

    Former FBI Director James Comey is facing his third federal indictment in just under two years after the Department of Justice charged him with unlawfully sharing national defense information and conspiring to disclose it, according to a court filing made public Monday. …

    Read at Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab)
  • RedStateFar Right

    DOJ Loaded verb“Hits”‘Hits’ casts a charging decision as an attack, adding drama that the filing itself does not state.More neutral: chargesDisagree with this highlight? James Comey With New Espionage Act Charges — but There's a Catch

    Former FBI Director James Comey is facing yet another criminal prosecution — this time over allegations that he orchestrated the leaking of sensitive national security information to the New York Times a decade ago.

    Read at RedState (opens in a new tab)
  • New York PostRight

    Ex-FBI Director James Comey facing charges for third time by Trump admin

    Prosecutors accuse Comey of “knowingly and wittingly” transmitting national defense information as well as conspiring to do so in a “criminal information” filing made in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

    Read at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
  • Fox NewsFar Right

    James Comey faces new DOJ case over alleged national defense disclosure

    The Justice Department filed a two-count criminal information accusing James Comey of communicating national defense information and conspiracy.

    Read at Fox News (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from Fox News
  • The Washington TimesRight

    Justice Department charges former FBI Directory James Comey in new case

    Former FBI Director James Comey has been criminally charged for the third time by the Justice Department, this time on accusations that he leaked a sensitive national security document, according to a court filing unsealed Monday.

    Read at The Washington Times (opens in a new tab)
  • Daily MailRight

    James Comey charged for a third time

    The charges come on the same day a judge ruled that DOJ illegally fired Comey's daughter.

    Read at Daily Mail (opens in a new tab)
  • Just the NewsFar Right

    Trump admin charges James Comey with transmission of national defense information in third case

    A grand jury has not indicted Comey on the latest charges, but the case has been playing out under seal since Oct. 5, and Comey's defense attorneys sought to have the charges dismissed last week.

    Read at Just the News (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    NBC News, Oct 26, 5:21 PM EDT

  • Center

    14 min later

    Its first report, Oct 26, 5:34 PM EDT

  • Right

    6 min later

    Its first report, Oct 26, 5:27 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. NBC NewsLeftOct 26, 5:21 PM EDT
  2. Daily MailRightOct 26, 5:27 PM EDT
  3. CNBCCenterOct 26, 5:34 PM EDT
  4. The Washington TimesRightOct 26, 5:41 PM EDT
  5. Financial TimesCenterOct 26, 5:42 PM EDT
  6. The New York TimesLeftOct 26, 5:44 PM EDT
  7. Fox NewsFar RightOct 26, 5:46 PM EDT
  8. The HillCenterOct 26, 5:48 PM EDT
  9. The IndependentLeftOct 26, 5:52 PM EDT
  10. New York PostRightOct 26, 5:53 PM EDT
  11. CBS NewsLeftOct 26, 5:55 PM EDT
  12. RedStateFar RightOct 26, 5:55 PM EDT
  13. Straight Arrow NewsCenterOct 26, 5:56 PM EDT
  14. Washington ExaminerRightOct 26, 5:57 PM EDT
  15. The Daily CallerFar RightOct 26, 5:58 PM EDT
  16. PBS NewsHourCenterOct 26, 6:01 PM EDT
  17. BloombergLeftOct 26, 6:03 PM EDT
  18. Al Jazeera EnglishLeftOct 26, 6:03 PM EDT
  19. The Western JournalFar RightOct 26, 6:12 PM EDT
  20. The GuardianLeftOct 26, 6:17 PM EDT
  21. The Epoch TimesFar RightOct 26, 6:20 PM EDT
  22. BBC NewsCenterOct 26, 6:29 PM EDT
  23. Hot AirFar RightOct 26, 6:40 PM EDT
  24. One America NewsFar RightOct 26, 6:42 PM EDT
  25. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 26, 6:46 PM EDT
  26. TownhallFar RightOct 26, 7:00 PM EDT
  27. NPRLeftOct 26, 7:37 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

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