Full Breakdown
Former FBI Director’s Adviser Subpoenaed in Renewed Leak Probe
9/1/2026, 2:27:39 AM
Core Event: Federal Grand Jury Subpoena Targets Daniel Richman
A federal grand jury subpoenaed Daniel C. Richman, longtime friend and former adviser to former FBI Director James B. Comey, as part of a Justice Department probe into whether Comey leaked classified information to the media. The subpoena was delivered on a Monday by prosecutors in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of Florida and focuses on memos Comey wrote about his meetings with President Donald J. Trump that were allegedly shared with a New York Times reporter.
Background & Context
The leak allegation first attracted federal scrutiny in 2018, when investigators examined whether Comey used Richman as a conduit to pass classified material. Richman, then a special employee of the FBI, was sued for alleged Fourth-Amendment violations after prosecutors seized data from his devices in 2019-2020; a Washington, D.C. judge ruled in his favor in December of the previous year. The original probe was halted after President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
Comey is also facing separate criminal cases: one alleging that a social-media post depicting “8647” constituted a threat against President Trump, and another that dismissed false-statement charges to Congress last year. The subpoena to Richman marks the Justice Department’s third major effort to pursue Comey-related matters.
Key Figures & Groups
- James B. Comey — former FBI Director.
- Daniel C. Richman — Columbia law professor and former FBI adviser.
- Todd Blanche — Acting Attorney General, who issued a statement on the threat-related indictment on April 28.
- Joseph diGenova — prosecutor leading the Florida grand-jury investigation.
- Judge Aileen M. Cannon — federal judge overseeing the grand jury in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Timeline
- 2018 – Initial leak investigation launched.
- 2019-2020 – Prosecutors seized Richman’s electronic material; Richman filed a Fourth-Amendment lawsuit.
- December (previous year) – Judge ruled prosecutors violated Richman’s Fourth-Amendment rights.
- January 2021 – Investigation halted after Biden assumed office.
- April 28 – Acting AG Blanche referenced the “8647” indictment.
- Recent Monday – Grand jury subpoenas Richman for testimony in the revived leak probe.
Official Statements & Responses
Acting AG Blanche emphasized that threatening the President is a serious criminal offense, referencing the separate “8647” case. Richman has maintained that the memo he shared with the New York Times was not marked classified and, to his knowledge, remained unclassified. The Justice Department declined to comment on the subpoena or the scope of the new investigation.
Data & Statistics
- The December ruling found prosecutors violated Richman’s Fourth-Amendment rights when they seized his devices.
- No charges have been filed in the current leak investigation.
Criticism & Opposition
No officials or organizations have offered substantive criticism of the subpoena in the available sources.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources confirm a subpoena was issued but do not disclose the specific testimony sought. The Justice Department has not detailed the investigative focus beyond the general allegation of a leak to the New York Times.
