FORMER FBI DIRECTOR JAMES COMEY MADE HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE IN A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CRIMINAL CASE ACCUSING HIM OF LYING TO CONGRESS FIVE YEARS AGO.

MEMBERS OF COMEY’S FAMILY, INCLUDING HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER, WERE THERE AT THE ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA COURTHOUSE ON WEDNESDAY.

HE PLED NOT GUILTY AT THE BRIEF ARRAIGNMENT.

THAT PLEA WILL KICK-START A PROCESS OF LEGAL WRANGLING IN WHICH DEFENSE LAWYERS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY MOVE TO GET THE INDICTMENT DISMISSED BEFORE TRIAL, POSSIBLY BY ARGUING THE CASE AMOUNTS TO A SELECTIVE OR VINDICTIVE PROSECUTION.

THE COMEY HAS AMPLIFIED CONCERNS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS BEING WEAPONIZED IN PURSUIT OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S POLITICAL ENEMIES.