Former FBI Director James Comey reacted to a judge throwing out an indictment against him on Monday.
Comey, who is one of President Donald Trump's perceived enemies, shared an Instagram video describing his thoughts.
"I'm grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence, and a reflection of what the Department of Justice has become under Donald Trump, which is heartbreaking. But I was also inspired by the example of the career people, who refused to be part of this travesty. It cost some of them their jobs, which is painful, but it preserved their integrity, which is beyond price. And I know they will serve again," Comey said.
"I was very lucky that some of the best lawyers in America stepped forward to represent me. I hope they serve as an example to more and more lawyers, especially at some of the big firms, to participate in protecting our liberty, protecting the rule of law," he added.
He thanked his family and friends — some of whom were the lawyers representing him.
"This case mattered to me personally, obviously, but it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies," Comey said. "I don't care what your politics are, you have to see that as fundamentally un-American and a threat to the rule of law that keeps all of us free."
The indictments against Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were dismissed Monday by Senior U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, who wrote in an opinion that Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was appointed without Senate approval, which violated the appointments clause of the U.S. Constitution. The judge cited that Halligan's actions, including signing Comey's indictment, "were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside."
Comey said he expected Trump would continue attacking him.
"I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again. And my attitude is going to be the same. I'm innocent. I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary," he said.