James Comey Pleads Not Guilty in DOJ Case, Trial Set for January 5/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging he lied to Congress during a 2020 testimony. The case, pushed forward by the Trump Justice Department, has reignited concerns about political retribution and selective prosecution. Comey’s legal team is expected to challenge the indictment aggressively. A trial was set for January 5 and attorneys on both sides said they expect it to last two to three days.
Comey Indictment Quick Looks
- Comey pleads not guilty to two federal charges
- A Trial date was set for January 5, 2026.
- Indicted for allegedly lying to Congress in 2020
- Trump DOJ faces accusations of political retaliation
- Prosecutor appointed lacked federal legal experience
- Judge assigned is a Biden nominee, drawing criticism
- Charges linked to anonymous media leak denial
- Comey’s family members present at arraignment
- Case reignites long-standing Trump-Comey feud
- DOJ also investigating other Trump critics
- Trial could set major precedent for political prosecutions
Deep Look: Comey Pleads Not Guilty in Politically Charged DOJ Case
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Former FBI Director James Comey entered a not guilty plea Wednesday in response to charges that he lied to Congress in 2020 — a case that marks one of the highest-profile prosecutions yet under President Donald Trump’s Justice Department and one that raises major questions about political influence in federal law enforcement. A trial was set for January 5 and attorneys on both sides said they expect it to last two to three days.
Comey’s plea was submitted via his attorney at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia. Though brief, the arraignment sets the stage for what’s expected to be a combative legal process, with Comey’s defense team preparing to argue that the prosecution is both selective and politically motivated.
The Charges: Lying to Congress and Obstruction
The two-count indictment accuses Comey of falsely testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 30, 2020, when he denied authorizing an associate to serve as an anonymous source for media coverage related to the Russia investigation.
The second charge claims Comey obstructed a congressional proceeding, but the indictment notably lacks key details, including the identity of the associate and the nature of the alleged leak — leaving analysts unsure about the strength of the evidence.
Comey has maintained his innocence, saying he looks forward to a fair trial that will “expose the truth“ behind the accusations.
“The indictment lacks substance, and we believe it will not hold up under legal scrutiny,” one person close to Comey’s legal team said.
Origins of the Case: Pressure from Trump and DOJ Shake-Up
The indictment followed a striking chain of events. President Donald Trump had publicly called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to act against Comey and other prominent figures he has long labeled enemies. Shortly after, Bondi replaced the lead investigator with Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide with no prior federal prosecution experience.
Halligan rushed the indictment through just before the legal deadline, reportedly against the advice of veteran DOJ attorneys who questioned the evidentiary basis of the charges.
These developments have led critics to argue that the Justice Department is being used as a tool of political retaliation, echoing Trump’s long-standing claims that the system is “rigged” — but turning that narrative on its head.
Judge’s Appointment Draws GOP Ire
The case has been assigned to Judge Michael Nachmanoff, a former chief federal public defender and Biden appointee. While known for his impartiality and deliberate legal approach, his background has already drawn fire from Trump and allies, with the former president labeling him a “Crooked Joe Biden appointed Judge.”
Despite the criticism, legal experts say Nachmanoff’s appointment is standard procedure under the federal court’s random case assignment system.
Family Ties and Fallout
Several of Comey’s family members were present at the courthouse, including his daughter Maurene Comey, who was fired earlier this year from her post as a federal prosecutor in New York, and his son-in-law Troy Edwards Jr., who resigned from the Eastern District of Virginia — the very office prosecuting Comey — shortly after the indictment was announced.
These personal developments have added a deeply human dimension to what is already a politically volatile case.
Trump vs. Comey: A Bitter Feud Reignited
The legal battle is the latest chapter in a years-long feud between Trump and Comey.
Appointed FBI Director by President Obama in 2013, Comey was leading the agency’s probe into potential ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russian operatives when Trump took office. The relationship quickly soured.
In private meetings, Trump allegedly asked Comey for a loyalty pledge and to drop the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Comey refused, and shortly after, in May 2017, Trump abruptly fired him — an action that later became a key point of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible obstruction of justice.
Comey’s 2018 memoir, “A Higher Loyalty,” painted Trump as ethically unfit for office and compared him to a mafia boss — sparking further outrage from the president, who has repeatedly called for Comey to face charges, even accusing him of “treason.”
“Untruthful slime ball,” Trump once posted on social media, dismissing Comey’s claims and doubling down on efforts to prosecute him.
Broader Implications and Future Proceedings
This case could set a significant legal precedent. The Justice Department under Trump is already investigating other prominent figures who have publicly challenged the administration, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA).
Whether Comey’s case moves forward to trial or is dismissed could either validate the DOJ’s aggressive approach — or raise new concerns about using the department to target political opponents.
The next hearing in the case is expected later this year. Until then, both legal and political observers will be watching closely, as this battle plays out not just in courtrooms — but in the public consciousness of a deeply divided nation.
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