The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell — “Trump DOJ Indicts Former FBI Director James Comey”
Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Lawrence O’Donnell (MSNBC)
Key Guests: Andrew Weissmann (former DOJ official and MSNBC analyst), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Ken Dilanian (NBC News reporter), Barbara McQuaid (former U.S. Attorney)
Episode Overview
On this high-stakes episode of The Last Word, Lawrence O’Donnell leads a detailed discussion about the shocking indictment of former FBI Director James Comey by the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump. Drawing on his congressional experience and political expertise, O'Donnell frames the event as unprecedented, suggesting it represents a watershed moment for American democracy and prosecutorial norms. Guests including legal experts and sitting lawmakers dissect the charges, prosecutorial conduct, and the implications for the justice system. The recurring themes include the thinness (and potential bad faith) of the indictment, the historical context, and the outsized role of presidential influence.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Indictment: Substance and Strategy
Timestamps: 01:05–08:00
- O’Donnell describes the indictment as “literally the thinnest federal indictment you will ever see… it amounts to two pages only.” (01:22)
- Both counts charge the same alleged false statement by Comey to the Senate and an associated obstruction count.
- O’Donnell and guests stress that, contrary to the DOJ’s claim, the Inspector General had already found Comey’s Senate testimony truthful.
- O’Donnell plays Comey's video statement responding to the indictment, in which Comey references the personal and political costs of standing up to Trump.
Notable Quote:
“Well, now the phrase trumped up charges has new meaning.”
— Lawrence O’Donnell (01:22)
The Political Motivation and Historical Precedent
Timestamps: 03:30–06:40
- The panel discusses Trump’s direct and public calls for his Attorney General to prosecute Comey, including a since-deleted social media post, and contrasts this with past norms (Nixon/Manson case).
- Guest Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor, argues this action represents a profound departure from established process and impartiality.
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recounts how Trump “ordered this prosecution” and replaced career officials with loyalists to get it done.
Notable Quote:
“There is Donald Trump pronouncing guilt on James Comey while he’s ordering his attorney general to make James Comey a criminal defendant. That is something no president has ever done before.”
— Lawrence O’Donnell (04:47)
What the IG Report Really Says (The Core of the Case)
Timestamps: 08:00–12:40
- The central evidence is a Senate Judiciary hearing exchange from May 2017 between Sen. Ted Cruz and Comey about authorizing leaks.
- The Inspector General’s report clearly states that McCabe, not Comey, authorized disclosures, contradicting the prosecution’s premise.
- Weissmann calls out the lack of any real conflict in evidence: “Senator Cruz really blew it in that statement […] Andy McCabe did not say […] he was authorized beforehand by James Comey.”
Notable Quote:
“[T]he Inspector General says, ‘we found that McCabe authorized discussion with the Wall Street Journal.’ The jury in this case is going to see those two words: McCabe authorized.”
— O’Donnell (09:51)
“If that is what this is based on, I can easily see James Comey asking for an immediate trial.”
— Andrew Weissmann (15:01)
Venue, Grand Jury Secrecy, and Legal Strategy
Timestamps: 15:55–17:25
- The venue is the Eastern District of Virginia, not D.C., because Comey testified from home during the COVID pandemic.
- Weissmann explains the stricter secrecy rules in federal grand juries compared to state cases (16:55).
Senate Judiciary Perspective
Timestamps: 17:28–21:50
- Sen. Klobuchar notes the unprecedented political manipulation: a career Republican U.S. Attorney resigns, replaced by a Trump loyalist.
- She likens the move to Trump's creation of an "enemies list" and emphasizes that multiple Trump critics have been similarly targeted.
Notable Quote:
“He actually ordered the prosecution. He fired the US Attorney […] installed a White House aide to overrule career prosecutors.”
— Sen. Amy Klobuchar (17:57)
The Judge, Arraignment, and Congressional Oversight
Timestamps: 23:47–28:37
- The case is assigned to Judge Michael Nachmanoff (a Biden appointee). Arraignment set for October 9, 10:00 am.
- Rep. Dan Goldman details the sequence of refusals from career DOJ officials and raises concerns about the political nature of the case.
- Goldman says DOJ's own rules were trampled, and calls the evidence “dead ass losers” (24:51).
Notable Quote:
“It is unconscionable that we would have a president of the United States direct his Attorney General to criminally charge a political adversary.”
— Rep. Dan Goldman (26:10)
Legal Barriers for the Prosecution
Timestamps: 28:44–31:31
- Weissmann outlines procedural hurdles: before trial even starts, motions will likely argue vindictive prosecution, outrageous conduct.
- He predicts a rapid “rocket docket” process and possible quick dismissal, drawing parallels to failed prosecutions under Trump’s first term.
Broader Impact: The Blow to DOJ Legitimacy
Timestamps: 31:31–37:43
- O’Donnell, Weissmann, and McQuaid reflect on the political motivations: retribution, diminishing the gravity of indictments in general.
- The move is seen as a tactic to “make Jim Comey suffer for pure retribution,” and to devalue indictments ahead of Trump’s own legal peril.
Notable Quote:
“I think they’re willing to lose this case and if they do, they can blame the judge… None of it matters. Blow it all up.”
— Barbara McQuaid (37:01)
The Media and Political Echo Chamber
Timestamps: 34:16–37:43
- Ken Dilanian provides context on how parts of the MAGA movement are treating this as ultimate vindication for grievances over the Trump-Russia probe, even though previous special counsel findings led to no charges.
- Panelists agree Comey, given his calm public presence and formidable legal team, now has an even larger platform.
Notable Quote:
“They have to quote Ken, given him an enormous megaphone. He also… will have as his counsel Pat Fitzgerald. That is an incredibly strong team.”
— Andrew Weissmann (37:43)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
James Comey’s video statement:
“Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant. And she’s right. But I’m not afraid, and I hope you’re not either… My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”
— James Comey (02:36) -
Maureen Comey (via email, quoted by O’Donnell):
“If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions who remain. Do not let that happen. Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought.”
— Maureen Comey (04:23) -
Andrew Weissmann on the prosecution:
“It is just not how our country is supposed to work… you remove somebody who is an experienced person… and then just brings this charge. It tells you just how far we’ve come and the hypocrisy in terms of where we’ve come.”
(12:51) -
Goldman on political prosecution:
“I can’t even imagine… We didn’t get what are called no true bills. We didn’t get a grand jury rejecting an indictment. That just never happens. […] The judge is going to have no patience for any of this.”
(27:14)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Comey indictment breaking news & analysis: 01:05–12:50
- Comey’s video statement and Maureen Comey quote: 02:36, 04:23
- Sen. Cruz/Comey exchange (the core evidence): 08:01–09:16
- Inspector General’s findings and legal analysis: 09:18–15:00
- Venue, grand jury secrecy explained: 15:55–17:25
- Sen. Klobuchar’s account and context: 17:28–21:50
- Rep. Goldman on prosecutorial process: 24:51–28:37
- Weissmann on procedural hurdles: 28:44–31:31
- Ken Dilanian and panel on MAGA movement echo chamber: 34:16–37:43
Conclusion
This episode presents the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey as a profound break with American judicial tradition, driven by direct political vendetta and enabled by loyalist placements within the Justice Department. O’Donnell and his expert guests lay out stark legal, historical, and moral objections to the prosecution, repeatedly referencing the thinness of the evidence, the unprecedented presidential interference, and the likely consequences for both the justice system and American democracy. The tone is urgent, critical, and deeply concerned about the state of the rule of law.