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Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday to face charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation.
Standing before U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, Comey entered a not guilty plea through his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who called representing his client “the honor of his life.” The trial is scheduled for January 6, with both prosecution and defense anticipating a three-day proceeding.
The charges stem from Comey’s September 2020 congressional testimony, in which he allegedly told lawmakers under oath that he did not authorize media leaks. A federal grand jury issued the indictment last month, just days before the statute of limitations expired. If convicted on both counts, Comey faces up to five years in prison, making him the most prominent figure in the Trump resistance to face criminal charges.
Comey’s defense team plans to file multiple motions to dismiss the case. Fitzgerald announced they would argue “outrageous government conduct,” claiming President Trump, a political opponent, brought charges unfairly and directly against his client. Additionally, the defense will challenge acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan’s appointment as unlawful. Halligan, appointed by Trump last month, replaced Erik Siebert, who was reportedly pushed out after declining to seek an indictment against Comey.
The indictment references two unidentified individuals, and Fitzgerald stated the defense remains unclear about what specific actions allegedly led to the charges. Reports suggest the leaked information may have involved the FBI’s investigation into missing government emails from Hillary Clinton’s private server during her time as Secretary of State.
Comey avoided media cameras, entering and exiting the courthouse through a back entrance accompanied by Fitzgerald, his son, and his daughter Maurene Comey, a former Justice Department lawyer recently fired by the Trump administration. About a dozen anti-Trump protesters gathered outside, holding signs reading “show trial” and “this is what authoritarianism looks like.” One protester, Shila Ward from Arlington, Virginia, expressed disappointment at the small turnout, stating she feared “our federal republic is being destroyed.”
Comey has maintained his innocence, stating in a social media video last month: “I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial. And keep the faith.”
Critics accuse the Trump administration of weaponizing the Justice Department against political opponents.
The controversy surrounding Comey includes his role in launching investigations into Trump’s 2016 campaign based on allegations that ultimately showed no evidence of collusion with Russia.
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