The Supreme Court has declined to revive a lawsuit brought by a former Trump campaign adviser against ex-FBI Director James Comey, closing off another legal avenue in a years-long dispute over surveillance and official conduct.
The decision leaves intact lower court rulings that had dismissed the case. Comey had sought to end the litigation, and the high court's refusal to take the matter means his effort to escape further legal jeopardy succeeds.
The adviser's legal battles have been costly for the government. In April, the Justice Department settled separate claims brought by the same individual, agreeing to a payment of $1.25 million. That settlement addressed different allegations but reflected the broader fallout from decisions made during the 2016 campaign and early stages of the Trump presidency.
The Supreme Court's action suggests the justices saw no constitutional question or issue of national importance warranting their intervention. By declining the case, they avoided taking sides in what had become a heated dispute between the Trump campaign aide and senior law enforcement officials.
The dismissal of the lawsuit against Comey does not resolve questions about the surveillance decisions made during that period, but it does limit the former director's legal exposure in this particular claim. The adviser has exhausted his Supreme Court remedy and would need to pursue any remaining legal challenges through other means, if available.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The Supreme Court's cold shoulder to this case sends a clear message that even Trump world's legal grievances against Comey have hit a dead end."
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