James Comey, the former FBI Director, enters a plea of not guilty.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia

Former FBI Director James Comey entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday.

Judge Michael Nachmanoff scheduled a trial for January 5, 2026, although Comey’s lawyer mentioned the defense intends to file several motions to potentially avoid going to trial.

Comey faces indictment from September 25, accusing him of two counts: allegedly lying to Congress during his September 2020 testimony regarding the Trump-Russia investigation and obstructing a Congressional proceeding.

Patrick Fitzgerald, Comey’s attorney, expressed, “It’s the honor of my life to represent Mr. Comey in this matter,” before announcing the plea.

Fitzgerald noted that they have yet to receive any discovery and are still unclear about the identities of Person One or Person Three referenced in the indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Lemons informed the judge that the government is currently reviewing a significant volume of discovery, some of which is classified.

Nachmanoff commented he is “skeptical,” pointing out that the case does not seem “overly complicated.” Fitzgerald expressed his confusion as well, suggesting that the two-count indictment appears to be a “simple case.”

Lemons stated that the Department of Justice is processing the discovery as “efficiently” as possible while working towards declassifying certain information. The government anticipates that a trial might only last 2 to 3 days.

Comey intends to file a motion alleging vindictive prosecution, claiming the indictment was initiated “at the direction of President Trump,” according to Fitzgerald. Additionally, the defense plans to contest the legality of Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan’s appointment.

Halligan submitted the indictment just days after assuming leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia. This follows the resignation of former U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert on September 19, which Trump had called for.