Picture courtesy of ABC News Australia | AP: Andrew Harnik, file)

 

James Comey, the former FBI Director, pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The plea was entered on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, by his lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald, who plans to request a dismissal of the case citing it as a politically motivated attack. A trial date has been set for 5 January with proceedings expected to last two to three days.

 

Background on the case reveals that Comey was indicted shortly after former US president Donald Trump called for action against him. The case was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under political pressure, and was taken over by Lindsey Halligan, leading to the swift indictment of Comey. Halligan, newly appointed, has been pursuing the case after previous prosecutors did not due to insufficient evidence.

 

In court, Patrick Fitzgerald criticised the prosecution as vindictive and accused them of withholding classified documents needed for Comey’s defence. US District Judge Michael Nachmanoff warned the prosecution against delaying the case by withholding information. Comey appeared in court with his family and affirmed his understanding of the charges, which carry potential penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of 6.03 million Thai baht.

 

Looking ahead, the defence plans to file multiple motions to dismiss the charges, arguing the prosecution is politically motivated. The government claims Comey lied during a 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about authorisations related to FBI leaks. Comey denies the accusations, maintaining his innocence in a video posted online, where he criticised Trump's influence as tyrannical and expressed his determination to stand trial.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges related to false statements.
• The case is criticised as politically motivated following Trump's influence.
• A trial is set for 5 January, with defence aiming to dismiss charges.

Related Story:

 

Ex-FBI Chief Comey Indicted in Probe Tied to Trump-Russia Case

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-09

 

 

In the most significant development of the hearing, Patrick Fitzgerald, Comey’s lawyer, said he intended to file to motions to dismiss the case before trial: the first accusing the government of malicious and selective prosecution based on Trump’s public demand that Comey be prosecuted, the second seeking to challenge what he called the illegal appointment of Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney.

 

Fitzgerald said that Comey’s defense team had proposed an extended schedule in the hopes they might avoid a trial altogether.

 

“Frankly, we feel in this case the cart may have been put before the horse,” he said, adding: “We’d like certain dispositive motions addressed first in the hopes a trial can be avoided.”

 

NYTimes via https://archive.ph/Dgvd2#selection-5465.0-5472.0

 

NB if Ms. Halligan is removed and her indictment nullified, that would likely end things as any new indictment would exceed the 5-year statute limitations.

Banana Republic comes to mind I agree with Mr Jerry it would in my view be prudent to dismiss it on account of trumps big mouth and lack of merit….hey but go ahead with it and embarrass yourself some fun tidbits might be exposed to further embarrass this (administration) ….that is if they are capable of being embarrassed.😳