James Comey was appointed by President Obama to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2013, which he did until 2017. During his tenure, James was tested by new forces within and outside America’s borders and, among many other things, confronted foreign intelligence operations, mass shootings, the surge of ISIS, an opioid epidemic, and controversy over police shootings.  

Inside the FBI, while navigating government shutdowns, he tried to change how the FBI approached leadership, diversity, and cyber threats, and is known for his commitment to maintaining the FBI’s integrity and independence even when at odds with the White House. His bestseller, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, reflects on his experiences and the challenges of maintaining integrity in the face of political pressure.  

Prior to leading the FBI, James worked as a Federal Prosecutor in New York and Virginia, handling organized crime and terrorism cases, served as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York where he oversaw some of the highest-profile investigations of the early 2000s, and as US Deputy Attorney General in the administration of President George W. Bush. In the private sector, James has worked at law firms and as General Counsel of Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense contractor, and Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund.  

Throughout his career, he has taught at the graduate and undergraduate level at various universities. A native of the New York metropolitan area, he attended the University of Chicago Law School.