Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges brought by President Trump's Justice Department in a Virginia federal court Wednesday, multiple outlets reported.

The big picture: Trump exerted public pressure on his attorney general to bring charges against Comey in a breach of precedent that could mark the start of his push for legal retribution against his political foes. • Comey has maintained his innocence. • A jury trial was set for January 5, per multiple reports.

Driving the news: Comey was arraigned Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia. • He faces charges of making false statements to Congress in 2020 and obstructing its investigation into the Russia collusion probe. • Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, a Biden appointee, will oversee the case.

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