The Latest: Comey will make first court appearance in case accusing him of lying to Congress

Former FBI Director James Comey is set to make his first court appearance Wednesday morning in a Justice Department criminal case accusing him of lying to Congress five years ago.

The case has amplified concerns the Justice Department is being weaponized in pursuit of President Donald Trump’s political enemies. Comey is expected to plead not guilty at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, kick-starting a process of legal wrangling in which defense lawyers will almost certainly move to get the indictment dismissed before trial, possibly by arguing the case amounts to a selective or vindictive prosecution.

Here’s the latest:

Comey’s indictment two weeks ago followed an extraordinary chain of events

President Trump publicly implored Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey and other perceived adversaries.

The Republican president also replaced the veteran attorney who’d been overseeing the investigation with Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide who had never previously served as a federal prosecutor. Halligan rushed to file charges before a legal deadline lapsed despite warnings from other lawyers in the office that the evidence was insufficient for an indictment.

The two-count indictment alleges Comey made a false statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 30, 2020, by denying he had authorized an associate to serve as an anonymous source to the news media and that he obstructed a congressional proceeding. Comey has denied any wrongdoing and has said he was looking forward to a trial.

▶ Read more about the case against James Comey

Trump’s public schedule, according to the White House

11 a.m. ET: The president will receive his intelligence briefing

3 p.m.: Trump will join a round table on Antifa