James Comey, the former director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
Comey's lawyer entered the plea on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday morning. Defense attorney Patrick Fitzgerald indicated intentions to seek a dismissal of the charges, asserting that Comey, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, was unfairly targeted.
The indictment against Comey came shortly after Trump publicly called for his prosecution via social media. A trial date has been set for January 5, following Comey's attorneys' request for a speedy trial.
Both the prosecution and defense anticipate that the trial may last between two and three days.
In court, Fitzgerald expressed intentions to file multiple motions before trial, asserting a lack of lawful appointment for the US attorney managing the case and alleging vindictiveness from prosecutors.
The case originally fell under the supervision of Erik Siebert, a Virginia prosecutor who resigned after pressure from Trump following a botched investigation into another political figure. Trump subsequently appointed Lindsey Halligan as the new prosecutor.
Comey, appearing in good spirits, received support from family members during the hearing. After acknowledging the charges, Comey’s demeanor was notably upbeat as he interacted with his legal team.
Judge Michael Nachmanoff explained that each of Comey’s charges carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, alongside financial penalties.
Despite the legal turmoil, Comey has remained steadfast in his innocence, previously claiming in a video that he would not back down against perceived tyranny from Trump.
This case follows a turbulent period for Comey, who was previously dismissed as FBI Director by Trump during a crucial investigation into Russian election interference. His reputation has since been marred by his decisions during the 2016 presidential election, including controversies surrounding his handling of candidate Hillary Clinton's email investigation.
