Since his 2015 presidential campaign, Trump has threatened imprisonment against political opponents, but this indictment is the first successful grand jury charge by his administration against one such adversary.

“No-one is above the law,” Bondi said in a statement as the justice department announced charges against Comey for committing “serious crimes”.

Who is James Comey?

Following Comey’s dismissal, Robert Mueller, another former FBI leader, was appointed as special counsel to oversee the Russia inquiry. This investigation uncovered many interactions between the campaign and Russian officials, yet determined there wasn’t sufficient proof of a criminal conspiracy.

Donald Trump has persistently labeled the investigation that Comey led into his 2016 campaign as a “witch hunt”. Source: AAP / Yuri Gripas/ABACA/Sipa USA

Trump repeatedly attacked the investigation as a “witch hunt” and his second administration has sought to undermine conclusions by US intelligence and law enforcement agencies about the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in which Trump defeated Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

What are the charges about?

The federal prosecutor in Virginia responsible for the case resigned last week after angering Trump by voicing skepticism about it. Other office insiders have privately indicated that the evidence falls short of justifying criminal charges, according to those familiar with the situation.

How has James Comey responded?