Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty in a criminal case that has highlighted the Justice Department’s efforts to target adversaries of President Donald Trump.

 

Comey's lawyers said Wednesday they plan to argue the prosecution is politically motivated and should be dismissed.

 

Associated Press reporter Alanna Durkin Richer was in the room, where she said Comey was already seated at the defense table when reporters arrived.

 

“He sat quietly throughout the brief hearing, flanked between his lawyers while the defense and the prosecutors worked out logistics, including setting a trial date for January 5th,” Durkin Richer said.

 

She added that Comey was mostly silent throughout the arraignment, only speaking to thank the judge at the end.

 

The Comey case amplifies concerns Trump's Justice Department is being weaponized in pursuit of the Republican president’s political enemies.

 

“This kicks off what we expect is going to be a legal battle over these charges. Comey's defense lawyers suggested at the hearing today that they're going to seek to have the charges dismissed before trial by arguing that it was a vindictive prosecution brought at the direction of President Trump,” Durkin Richer said.