Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from congressional testimony he gave five years ago, appearing in court for an arraignment Wednesday after the Justice Department criminally charged the ex-FBI chief and Trump foe in late September.

The proceeding at the courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, came nearly two weeks after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation when he testified before a Senate panel in September 2020.

Comey spoke during the proceedings Wednesday. When the judge asked whether he understood the charges, he replied, "I do, your honor, thank you very much." Prosecutors did not seek to have him detained, and Comey was released on his own recognizance.

U.S. District Judge

See Full Page