WASHINGTON —

The Justice Department urged a federal judge Monday to reject James Comey's claim that his prosecution amounts to political retribution , arguing the former FBI director has failed to show that he's being targeted as punishment for his criticism of the Republican president.

Prosecutors defended President Donald Trump's September social media post demanding that action be taken in the Comey investigation, contending it reflects "legitimate prosecutorial motive" and is no basis to dismiss the indictment accusing Comey of lying to Congress in 2020.

The filing underscores how Trump's comments have put the Justice Department in a difficult position as Comey and other defendants seize on the president's remarks in efforts to have their cases dismissed ahead of trial. Comey's la

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