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. Mr. Comey's lawyer entered the plea on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday morning. Patrick Fitzgerald said he would seek to have the case dismissed for several reasons including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.
Mr. Comey was indicted a few days after Trump urged his attorney general to take action against him. A judge set a trial date of January 5 after Mr. Comey's lawyers requested a speedy trial.
Both the prosecution and defense expected the trial to last just two to three days. In court, Comey's lawyer pointed out their intentions to file motions to dismiss the case before trial, arguing the prosecution was vindictive and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to take over the case.
Comey appeared in good spirits, engaging in light-hearted conversation with his attorneys and family members present in the courtroom. The case originally fell under a different prosecutor who resigned under pressure after failing to produce charges against another political adversary.
The indictment against Mr. Comey comes after Trump’s public demands for prosecution of him and others, presenting additional political tension surrounding the case. Comey, who served as FBI Director from 2013 to 2017, has been critical of Trump, particularly regarding accusations related to the investigation into Russian election interference and the handling of the Hillary Clinton email case.
The federal government alleges Mr. Comey lied to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation and the Russia election probe, claiming he misled the Senate by stating he had not authorized any leaks to news outlets concerning the FBI investigations.
After the charges, Comey asserted his innocence online, criticizing Trump’s influence on the justice process and expressing a commitment to stand for the truth regardless of political pressure.
Mr. Comey was indicted a few days after Trump urged his attorney general to take action against him. A judge set a trial date of January 5 after Mr. Comey's lawyers requested a speedy trial.
Both the prosecution and defense expected the trial to last just two to three days. In court, Comey's lawyer pointed out their intentions to file motions to dismiss the case before trial, arguing the prosecution was vindictive and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to take over the case.
Comey appeared in good spirits, engaging in light-hearted conversation with his attorneys and family members present in the courtroom. The case originally fell under a different prosecutor who resigned under pressure after failing to produce charges against another political adversary.
The indictment against Mr. Comey comes after Trump’s public demands for prosecution of him and others, presenting additional political tension surrounding the case. Comey, who served as FBI Director from 2013 to 2017, has been critical of Trump, particularly regarding accusations related to the investigation into Russian election interference and the handling of the Hillary Clinton email case.
The federal government alleges Mr. Comey lied to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation and the Russia election probe, claiming he misled the Senate by stating he had not authorized any leaks to news outlets concerning the FBI investigations.
After the charges, Comey asserted his innocence online, criticizing Trump’s influence on the justice process and expressing a commitment to stand for the truth regardless of political pressure.
