James Comey was fired from his position as FBI director months into Donald Trump’s first presidency, in the middle of an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Former FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges accusing him of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation.
Comey entered his plea through his lawyer, Pat Fitzgerald, in court in Alexandria, Virginia, who waived a reading of the indictment and asked for a jury trial.
Mr Fitzgerald added: « Our view is that this prosecution was brought at the direction of President Trump. »
The former FBI director is alleged to have made a false statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee on 30 September 2020 by denying he had authorised an associate to serve as an anonymous source to the news media, and that he obstructed a congressional proceeding.
He denies the charges and said in a statement last month: « My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way.
