ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — James Comey made another run at getting his criminal case dismissed as his lawyers told a judge Wednesday that the prosecution was improperly vindictive and rooted in President Donald Trump’s hatred of the former FBI director.

“The president’s use of the Department of Justice to bring a criminal prosecution against a vocal and prominent critic in order to punish and deter those who would speak out against him violates the Constitution,” lawyer Michael Dreeben told U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff.

The government’s case appears imperiled after a different judge excoriated the department earlier in the week. There also are multiple challenges seeking dismissal of the indictment.

Comey has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of making a false statement a

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