James Comey, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to federal charges accusing him of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
The appearance in a federal courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia, marked the beginning of a legal battle that underscores longstanding tensions between Comey and President Donald Trump.
Comey's lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, entered the plea on his behalf during a brief arraignment that lasted less than half an hour.
The former FBI director, who served from 2013 to 2017, appeared composed as he entered the courtroom, accompanied by family members including his wife, Patrice Failor, and daughter Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor recently dismissed by the Trump administration.
The charges stem from testimony Comey provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020.
Prosecutors allege that he misled the panel by denying that he had authorized an associate to leak information about FBI investigations to news outlets.
These probes included the examination of Hillary Clinton's private email server and potential links between Russia's election interference and Trump's 2016 campaign.
Comey's defense team plans to file motions to dismiss the case, arguing that the prosecution is vindictive and politically motivated.
Fitzgerald, a longtime associate who worked with Comey during the George W. Bush administration, described representing his client as the honor of his life.
The lawyers also intend to challenge the appointment of Lindsey Halligan, the prosecutor who filed the indictment.
Halligan, a former White House aide and personal lawyer to Trump, was appointed to lead the Eastern District of Virginia's office shortly before the charges were brought.
This followed the resignation of the previous overseer, Erik Siebert, amid pressure related to an unrelated investigation.
The indictment came days after Trump publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue action against Comey and other perceived adversaries.
U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, nominated by President Joe Biden, set a trial date for January 5, 2025, emphasizing a push toward resolution without unnecessary delays.
The judge read Comey's rights in court, prompting a brief acknowledgment from the defendant: "I do your honour. Thank you very much."
The case arrives amid broader scrutiny of investigations targeting Trump's critics, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Senator Adam Schiff.
Comey's fraught history with Trump includes his 2017 firing, which occurred amid the Russia probe, and his subsequent memoir, "A Higher Loyalty," which drew sharp rebukes from the president.
In a video posted to Instagram following the indictment, Comey declared his innocence and expressed resolve to proceed to trial.
The proceedings highlight ongoing debates over the Justice Department's independence and the use of federal power in political disputes.