Former FBI director Comey pleads not guilty to federal charges of lying to Congress

"Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to charges of false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. Comey entered his plea via his lawyer Pat Fitzgerald during his arraignment in federal court on Wednesday in Alexandria, Va. The judge on the case set a trial date of January 5, 2026 and Comey is set to be released with no conditions."

""it's the honor of my life to represent Jim Comey in this matter," Fitzgerald said at the courthouse, where Comey's family also attended the arraignment. The former FBI director, who has long been one of President Trump's most vocal critics, was indicted last month on two counts stemming from his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020. The Justice Department secured the indictment just days after President Trump demanded a faster pace from prosecutors in their investigation against Comey."

"The top federal prosecutor in Northern Virginia, Erik Siebert, had cast doubt on the strength of the evidence against Comey. The Trump administration then replaced Siebert with Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide who previously served as a personal attorney for Trump. who secured the grand jury indictment against Comey. Halligan is bringing in prosecutors from North Carolina to assist on the case."

James Comey pleaded not guilty to two federal counts alleging false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. He entered his plea through lawyer Pat Fitzgerald at an arraignment in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. The judge scheduled a trial for January 5, 2026, and ordered Comey's release without conditions. Fitzgerald said it was the honor of his life to represent Comey, and Comey's family attended the arraignment. The indictment stems from Comey's September 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Justice Department pursued the indictment after President Trump pushed prosecutors for faster action. Prosecutors and defense counsel plan motions challenging the appointment and grand jury process.

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