What to know about James Comey's indictment and what happens next

James Comey has been indicted by the US Department of Justice on perjury charges stemming from testimony given to Congress five years ago. The charges accuse Comey of making false statements and obstructing justice during a Senate Judiciary Committee appearance in September 2020. Comey maintains his innocence and plans to defend himself in court. The indictment comes nearly a decade after Comey's role in the 2016 election campaign and his subsequent firing by President Trump, sparking renewed scrutiny and controversy around the former FBI director.