Trump DOJ chief warned latest move a 'grave risk' that will 'blow up in his face'
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche participates in the 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine, Texas, U.S. March 26, 2026. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare

A CNN journalist expects the new indictment against former FBI Director James Comey to backfire against acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche.

"There's a long trajectory ahead here, and there is a grave risk to Todd Blanche that this thing blows up in his face in court," journalist Scott MacFarlane said on "The Lead" with Jake Tapper on Tuesday.

MacFarlane pointed out that although Blanche secured a new indictment from a grand jury, he will have a harder time convincing a trial jury to punish Comey for his "8647" seashell post

"A grand jury, you don't have to convince everybody, just a certain number," MacFarlane started. "You don't have a defense in there arguing that case. It's just a prosecutor's presentation."

However, it's a "world of difference" with a trial jury, MacFarlane explained.

"Bring this to a trial jury and see how all of this flies," MacFarlane challenged. "When you need unanimity beyond a reasonable doubt."

He said that Comey seems ready for the fight, too, saying "there's a defense that clearly James Comey is keen on making."