NEW: Federal Judge Issues Arrest Warrant For James Comey

An arrest warrant directs law enforcement to take a defendant into custody and bring them before the court. A summons, on the other hand, allows the individual to appear voluntarily at a scheduled time.

The decision between these options depends on factors such as the seriousness of the charges and potential risks. In this case, the court chose to issue an arrest warrant.

It is not yet clear whether Comey will be taken into custody immediately or allowed to arrange a voluntary surrender. Federal warrants are generally executed by agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service.

During a press appearance, FBI Director Kash Patel noted that the investigation had been ongoing for several months before charges were filed.