Ex-FBI Director attempts to have federal charges against him dropped
(MENAFN) Former FBI Director James Comey has announced efforts to have federal charges against him dismissed, asserting that the case is politically motivated and directed by President Donald Trump.
Comey faces allegations of lying and obstructing justice during congressional testimony related to the Trump-Russia investigation tied to the 2016 presidential election. He maintains that the charges are unfounded and stem from a personal vendetta by the president. Comey has entered not guilty pleas to both counts.
Comey faces allegations of lying and obstructing justice during congressional testimony related to the Trump-Russia investigation tied to the 2016 presidential election. He maintains that the charges are unfounded and stem from a personal vendetta by the president. Comey has entered not guilty pleas to both counts.
"Objective evidence establishes that President Trump directed the prosecution of Mr. Comey in retaliation for Mr. Comey’s public criticisms and to punish Mr. Comey because of personal spite," Comey’s attorneys stated in court filings. They added that he was "singled out" because of his public criticism of Trump, who has openly expressed his animosity toward Comey.
Legal analysts note that the bar for dismissing a criminal case on the grounds of selective or vindictive prosecution is high, as it requires proving that prosecutors acted out of personal animus in pursuing charges that might not have otherwise been filed.
Comey’s legal team pointed to a social media post by Trump prior to the indictment as evidence meeting that standard. "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" Trump wrote, which Comey’s lawyers argue amounts to a directive instructing Attorney General Pam Bondi to initiate the charges.
As the case continues, experts suggest that judges may be more attentive to Comey’s claims given the unusually public nature of Trump’s and other administration officials’ attacks on him and other political opponents targeted by the Justice Department.
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