Former FBI Director James Comey Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges
Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to federal charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a proceeding, with a trial set for January 2026.
Comey pleads not guilty
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Overview
- Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty in a Virginia court to federal charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
- The charges allege Comey falsely denied authorizing FBI contacts as anonymous media sources during the Trump-Russia investigation and allowing a third person to serve as a news source.
- A trial date was set for January 5, 2026, by District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, following Comey's lawyer entering the plea and requesting a jury trial.
- Comey's defense team plans to argue vindictive prosecution and seek dismissal of the indictment, questioning the U.S. Attorney's authority in the case.
- These charges carry a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a $200,000 fine, following President Trump's public demands for Comey's prosecution.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the political motivations behind James Comey's indictment. They consistently highlight President Trump's public demands for Comey's prosecution, the unusual appointment of his former personal attorney Lindsey Halligan to lead the case, and the defense's claims of vindictive prosecution. This collective editorial approach suggests the charges are a politically driven act against a perceived foe.
"Mr Comey appeared in good spirits as he entered the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes."
BBC News"Comey has denied any wrongdoing and has said he looks forward to a trial."
ABC News"Comey entered his plea via his lawyer Pat Fitzgerald during his arraignment in federal court on Wednesday in Alexandria, Va."
NPR"The case has raised concerns about the president using the justice system against his adversaries."
USA TODAY"The indictment does not explain the substance of the alleged leak or specify which FBI staffer Comey is accused of giving permission to leak."
CBS News"Prosecutors who investigated the circumstances surrounding Comey's 2020 testimony for two months concluded that using Richman's testimony to prove that Comey knowingly provided false statements to Congress would result in "likely insurmountable problems" for the prosecution."
ABC News"The federal indictment of former FBI Director James Comey could face significant legal challenges – and potential dismissal – due to questions about how the Trump administration appointed the prosecutor who obtained it."
USA TODAY"The case against Comey presented a "grave danger" to the rights and liberties of every American as "President Donald Trump continues to corruptly abuse the power of his office by directing the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to target his critics and his perceived political enemies for investigation and criminal prosecution.","statements":["Former FBI Director James Comey will appear in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday for his arraignment on charges brought after a public campaign by President Donald Trump to prosecute him.","A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia indicted Comey on two charges last month: making a false statement and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.","Trump had posted just days earlier on his social media platform, calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to charge Comey.","Comey is expected to be presented with the charges and plead not guilty at Wednesday’s hearing, which begins at 10 a.m.","The charges were filed after Trump successfully pressured the acting head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia to resign.","Halligan sought three charges, but 12 or more of the grand jurors found that there was not probable cause to indict him on one of the charges.","Most of the grand jurors found there was probable cause to charge Comey with making false statements to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.","Trump has called for charges to be filed against other political foes since he began his second term.","A group of former federal judges warned last week that the case against Comey presented a 'grave danger' to the rights and liberties of every American."]}"
NBC News"Despite the political noise, lawyers who know Nachmanoff say he is unlikely to be swayed."
ABC News"The moment is nonetheless loaded with historical significance given that the case has amplified concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized in pursuit of President Donald Trump's political enemies."
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FAQ
James Comey is charged with lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding related to the Trump-Russia investigation.
James Comey's trial is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2026.
Comey's defense team plans to argue vindictive prosecution and seek dismissal of the indictment, questioning the authority of the U.S. Attorney handling the case.
If convicted, Comey could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.
President Donald Trump publicly demanded the prosecution of James Comey prior to the charges being filed.
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