Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
A federal grand jury subpoenas Daniel Richman, James Comey’s adviser, in a revived leak investigation
Prosecutors in Florida running a “grand conspiracy” inquiry issued the subpoena on August 31, 2026; the same conduct was reviewed earlier by the Justice Department’s inspector general and by Special Counsel John Durham, who brought no charges.
What happened
On August 31, 2026, a federal grand jury subpoenaed Daniel Richman, a longtime friend and adviser of former FBI director James Comey, to testify in a renewed leak investigation. The inquiry asks whether Comey improperly gave the press memos of his 2017 conversations with President Trump. Fox News reported it first, and CNN confirmed it.
CNN reported the subpoena came from prosecutors in Florida assigned to a “grand conspiracy” inquiry who had focused on John Brennan. The conduct under investigation was reviewed earlier by the Justice Department’s inspector general and by Special Counsel John Durham, who brought no charges. Comey already faces charges over an “8647” social-media post. His 2025 false-statements indictment was dismissed over the prosecutor’s appointment.
Who benefited
Prosecutors in the Florida “grand conspiracy” inquiry gained a route to Comey’s communications through his adviser. A grand jury subpoena can compel testimony from Richman. The inquiry had previously focused on Brennan, and its reach now extends to the Comey memos.
Who wanted something
Trump is the other party to the 2017 conversations in the Comey memos. The renewed investigation revisits whether Comey gave them to the press. The inspector general and Durham had already reviewed that conduct and brought no charges, so the demand is for a third look.
Who lost out
Daniel Richman faces compelled testimony about his advice to Comey in a matter the earlier reviews did not charge. Comey, already facing charges over an “8647” post, has a second matter reopened. His 2025 false-statements indictment was dismissed over the prosecutor’s appointment.
Why it matters
The same conduct that two earlier reviews examined without charges is being investigated a third time. The inspector general and Special Counsel John Durham brought nothing. Now a grand jury working on a “grand conspiracy” inquiry in Florida has subpoenaed a person close to Comey.