Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from congressional testimony he gave five years ago, appearing in court for an arraignment Wednesday after the Justice Department criminally charged the ex-FBI chief and Trump foe in late September.
The proceeding at the courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, came nearly two weeks after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation when he testified before a Senate panel in September 2020.
Comey spoke during the proceedings. When the judge asked whether he understood the charges, he replied, “I do, your honor, thank you very much.”
U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, who is presiding over the case, set a trial date for Jan. 12, though that could change. Comey could also seek to have the indictment tossed out, and he is likely to do so.
During the arraignment, Nathaniel Lemons, one of the federal prosecutors brought on to work on the case, said it could involve classified information, which could bring complications. Nachmanoff, however, noted that only two charges have been brought against Comey.
Comey has said he’s innocent and, in a video after he was indicted, declared “let’s have a trial.”
The Justice Department’s prosecution of the former FBI director marked a significant escalation in President Trump’s efforts to go after his political foes. Mr. Trump has for years attacked Comey, who was FBI director when the bureau investigated Russian meddling in the 2016 election.Â
Days before Comey was indicted, the president took to social media to urge Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against the former FBI director and other political opponents, writing, “We can’t delay any longer.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
Pat Milton and
Scott MacFarlane
contributed to this report.