So what makes Mr. McCabe’s case different? Perhaps it is that President Trump has routinely and publicly excoriated him — more than 50 times, according to Mr. McCabe’s lawyers, and with his usual subtlety and restraint: “He knew all about the lies and corruption going on at the highest levels of the FBI!”; “He LIED! LIED! LIED!”; “Treason!”; “Andy McCabe is a major sleazebag”; “Why isn’t disgraced FBI official Andrew McCabe being investigated?”

The Justice Department inspector general released last April a report that gave ammunition to those accusing Mr. McCabe of lying about his role in authorizing two FBI officials to speak on background to a reporter, providing material about his handling of an investigation into the Clinton Foundation — material suggesting he resisted shutting down the probe as the 2016 election approached. Perhaps one could argue that, as one of the FBI’s most senior bosses, Mr. McCabe bore more responsibility than the average agent to be honest with internal investigators who later inquired about the resulting news report. Yet he has already paid a stiff price. Not only was he fired, he was terminated in a particularly nasty fashion — just hours before he would have qualified for his pension.

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The plot thickened further this month when Mr. McCabe appeared to be on the verge of being indicted, as prosecutors recalled a grand jury after a long absence from the federal courthouse. Yet Mr. McCabe remains uncharged, fueling speculation that the grand jury refused to indict him, which would be a highly unusual expression of no-confidence in the prosecution case. Mr. McCabe’s lawyers demanded an explanation from the Justice Department but have obtained none. There are a few possible explanations for the lack of action. But if the grand jury refused to indict, it would be a remarkable turn, as the standards for grand jury indictment are minimal.

Mr. McCabe has been punished proportionately for his alleged wrongs. More and more, the case against him looks like an act of political vengeance, draining the already-depleted credibility of the Trump Justice Department. If the case against Mr. McCabe is still active, it should end.