Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges of providing false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The arraignment, held on Wednesday, set the stage for a fierce legal battle that could see Comey face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Comey’s attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, revealed plans to file at least five motions to dismiss the case, describing the prosecution as politically motivated and directed by former President Donald Trump. “This prosecution was brought by President Trump,” Fitzgerald declared in court.
The defense intends to challenge the appointment of prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, a former White House aide who became interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia just three days before taking the case to a grand jury. They also plan to question the fairness of the grand jury process.
The charges trace back to Comey’s 2020 congressional testimony, where he allegedly lied about authorizing leaks of classified information to the media through his longtime friend, Columbia Law professor Daniel Richman.
Judge Michael Nachmanoff has vowed to fast-track the proceedings, setting oral arguments for November and December, and a tentative trial date of January 5.
The Justice Department insists the case represents equal application of the law, though critics argue it reflects Trump’s lingering influence and political retaliation against perceived adversaries.
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