Clinton-Appointed Judge Orders FBI to Destroy Evidence in Comey Case
A Clinton-appointed federal judge has ordered the FBI to destroy emails central to the obstruction and false statements case against former FBI Director James Comey, a decision that legal experts warn could cripple prosecutors’ ability to pursue a new indictment and set off a constitutional showdown over separation of powers.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who sits on the D.C. District Court, issued the surprise order on December 13, directing the FBI to permanently delete all data seized from Columbia Law Professor Daniel Richman—Comey’s longtime friend and former government contractor—by 4 p.m. Monday.
The emails include key exchanges between Richman and Comey that prosecutors allege show Comey authorized leaks and false testimony about his role in Operation Crossfire Hurricane.
The ruling follows the September indictment of Comey on two counts—making false statements to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding—related to his 2020 testimony about the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation. Prosecutors allege Comey falsely denied using intermediaries to leak classified material to the press, and that he used Richman as an outside conduit for anti-Trump leaks while Richman held a government contract.
Six years ago, Judge James Boasberg—himself an Obama appointee—signed the warrant that allowed the FBI to seize Richman’s devices. But Kollar-Kotelly’s order, issued from a separate court and in a separate district, now directs the destruction of that same evidence.
“This ruling threatens the separation of powers essential to the Republic, and either the D.C. Circuit or Supreme Court must intervene immediately,” said Mike Davis, president of the Article III Project and a former Senate Judiciary Committee counsel.
Richman, who is not charged in the case, petitioned for the return of his emails under Rule 41(g) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, arguing that the government violated his Fourth Amendment rights by seizing and reviewing his communications. Rule 41(g) typically allows a defendant to recover property obtained in an unlawful search—but in this case, Richman is a third party, not a defendant, and the communications in question include evidence against a sitting defendant, James Comey.
Despite this, Judge Kollar-Kotelly granted Richman’s motion and ordered that a single copy of the emails be provided to Judge Michael Nachmanoff, who is presiding over the Comey case in Virginia, but barred prosecutors from reviewing or relying on the material in any future filings.
“The FBI and the prosecution will be unable to review them in their efforts to seek a new indictment if [Judge Cameron] Currie’s dismissal ruling survives on appeal,” Davis said. “Even if a higher court reverses Currie, the government’s inability to review the emails to use as evidence and prepare for trial would massively hamper its case.”
Judge Currie, another Clinton appointee in South Carolina, dismissed the Comey indictment last month, ruling that the appointment of interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan—who led the prosecution—was unconstitutional. The Justice Department has appealed Currie’s ruling to the Fourth Circuit.
Davis called the ruling “unprecedented judicial sabotage,” arguing that “Richman has run to a partisan Democrat judge not even involved in the criminal case — and not even in the same district — to procure the destruction of crucial evidence in that case in an obvious effort to assist his friend Comey.”
In a separate op-ed published by Fox News, Davis warned that the decision fits a larger pattern of “leftist judicial interference” aimed at shielding political allies while undermining accountability for the Trump-era lawfare architects.
“Now, a Clinton-appointed judge in the District of Columbia, Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, has interfered even more egregiously with the government’s case,” Davis wrote. “Courts do not order the FBI to destroy evidence in pending investigations — except when the evidence is harmful to a lawfare perpetrator like Comey.”
The Justice Department is expected to seek an emergency stay from the D.C. Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court before Monday’s deadline.
If the order stands, prosecutors may lose access to one of the few remaining troves of direct evidence linking Comey to alleged leaks and obstruction. And if higher courts fail to intervene, it could mark the first time in recent memory that a federal judge outside a criminal case has ordered the destruction of key evidence against a former FBI director.
Obama Family’s Sad Announcement
Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama’s Mother, Passes Away at 86. Marian Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, passed away peacefully at the age of 86. A central figure in the Obama family, she moved from her hometown of Chicago to the White House in 2009 to help raise her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Known as “the first grandmother,” Robinson kept a low profile but played a vital role behind the scenes. She attended some events but mostly stayed close to her granddaughters, helping maintain a sense of normalcy. She once said she moved to Washington out of concern for her daughter’s demanding life and her grandchildren’s safety.
The family, including Michelle and Barack Obama, her son Craig, and her grandchildren, said, “She was our rock,” and remembered her sense of humor, warmth, and unconditional love. They noted that although she enforced house rules, she often sided with her grandkids against their “strict” parents.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also paid tribute, calling her a loving and down-to-earth person whose warmth touched many.
Born in 1937 on Chicago’s South Side, Marian raised two children and lost her husband, Fraser Robinson, in 1991. She was known for her modesty—even choosing to do her own laundry at the White House—and for keeping her granddaughters grounded during their years in the spotlight.
Michelle Obama honored her mother this past Mother’s Day by naming a museum exhibit after her, saying, “Without my mother, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” The family described her as an irreplaceable presence and a lifelong example of strength and love.
20 Minutes ago, SAVANNAH GUTHRIE and DAVID MUIR was confirmed as…
Anchors in the Storm: David Muir’s Reaffirmation and Savannah Guthrie’s Developing Chapter
In the digital age, where misinformation and viral rumors can dismantle reputations in hours, the trust placed in network news anchors has become a rare and vital currency. Recently, the American media landscape was jolted by two parallel narratives: David Muir’s definitive stand against departure rumors at ABC News and a rapidly developing professional update regarding Savannah Guthrie in Arizona.
Beyond mere personnel announcements, these stories reflect a deeper cultural truth about the need for stability, empathy, and the enduring power of trusted voices in an increasingly fractured world.
I. David Muir: The Steadfast Anchor of ABC News
1.1 Shattering the Rumor Mill
For weeks, a wave of speculation swept across social media and entertainment blogs, suggesting that David Muir—the face of World News Tonight—was preparing to vacate his anchor chair. These whispers, often amplified by clickbait tabloids, struck a nerve with millions of loyal viewers who rely on Muir’s calm, measured delivery at the end of each day.
The anxiety was palpable. In an era of constant turnover, Muir represents a vanishing breed of consistency. Finally, in July 2024, during an appearance on LIVE with Kelly and Mark, Muir addressed the noise head-on. With his trademark poise, he looked into the camera and declared: “I’m not going anywhere.”
1.2 Passion Over Profession
Muir’s confirmation was more than a contractual clarification; it was a heartfelt reaffirmation of his mission. "I love what I do," he explained. "This is where I belong, and I’m so proud of our team at ABC News."
For the audience, these words served as a necessary reminder that stability still exists in modern journalism. His devotion to the craft ensures that the familiar cadence of his reporting will continue to guide viewers through global events for years to come.
II. The Human Element: Vulnerability as Public Service
2.1 The Man Behind the Icon
Perhaps the most moving moment of Muir’s recent tenure occurred when he returned to the screen following surgery. Stitched, aching, and visibly moved, he shattered the illusion that news anchors are invincible automatons.
He described his recovery as a "maze of pain and unwelcome stillness." In that fragile state, he anchored himself in three things:
The love of those who stayed by his side.
The purpose that originally pulled him into journalism.
The quiet strength of strangers’ prayers.
2.2 A Tribute to Michael Strahan and Isabella
From this place of personal vulnerability, Muir turned his attention to his colleague Michael Strahan and his daughter, Isabella, amid her devastating health battle. Muir did not sensationalize their struggle; he honored it.
He spoke of the "impossible choice" between guarding private agony and sharing it to help others suffering in silence. By praising Michael’s courage, Muir recast vulnerability as a public service, proving that the strongest figures are often those held up by the community around them.
III. Savannah Guthrie: A Developing Update from Arizona
3.1 Clarity Amid Confusion
While Muir was solidifying his post in New York, Savannah Guthrie became the center of a rapidly breaking story in Arizona. Within minutes of her appearance there, headlines began to ripple across newsrooms.
Initial reports sparked confusion, but sources close to Guthrie were quick to clarify: the "confirmation" involved a significant professional development rather than the alarming personal rumors that had briefly circulated. Guthrie remained composed and focused, handling her media commitments with the precision that has defined her career.
3.2 The Speed of Trust
The surge of attention surrounding Guthrie highlights how deeply audiences identify with her. Analysts suggest that the public’s frantic reaction speaks to the "living room connection"—when news breaks about a person like Guthrie, viewers feel it on a personal level. Messages of support poured in, reflecting the trust she has built over years of consistent, authoritative reporting.
IV. The Anatomy of Dominance: Why It Matters
4.1 By the Numbers
Since taking the helm in 2014, Muir has led World News Tonight to become the most-watched evening newscast in the U.S., averaging over 8 million viewers per night.
Key FactorImpact on ViewershipFact-Driven ReportingAvoids the sensationalism and opinion-heavy formats of competitors.Crisis LeadershipProvides a "steady hand" during elections, natural disasters, and war.ConsistencyBecomes a ritualistic part of the American evening.
4.2 The "Anchor" in a True Sense
The word "anchor" is often used as a job title, but for Muir and Guthrie, it has become a functional description. In a media landscape marked by "fleeting attention spans," their continued presence provides a sense of gravity.
For ABC and NBC, these figures are the bedrock of brand trust. At a time when faith in media is fragile, having a recognizable, empathetic human being delivering the news is the ultimate competitive advantage.
V. Conclusion: A Future Built on Consistency
The collective news regarding David Muir and Savannah Guthrie serves as a powerful testament to the enduring value of the "Network Anchor."
David Muir remains exactly where his audience wants him—at the desk, delivering stories with measured authority. Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie continues to navigate her high-profile career with transparency and grace.
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In the end, their stories are not just about contracts or locations; they are about the unspoken bond between the reporter and the reported-to. As the world continues to change at a dizzying pace, these voices remain our most reliable guides, proving that even in a digital world, the human element is irreplaceable.
The message to viewers is simple: The anchors are holding.
