Former FBI director James Comey pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance, marking the first prosecution by the Justice Department against one of President Donald Trump's political enemies.

He has been charged with making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation.

A judge scheduled the trial to begin on January 5.

Comey's lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, entered the plea on Comey's behalf during a roughly 25-minute court hearing on Wednesday.

"Our view is that this prosecution was brought at the direction of President Trump," Fitzgerald said.

The charges were brought by Trump's former personal attorney, Lindsey Halligan, who was installed last month as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Trump forced out her predecessor over his reticence to pr

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