Comey Pleads Not Guilty After Trump Fires Prosecutor Who Refused to Bring Charges

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to federal charges after the Trump administration fired the federal prosecutor who had reviewed the case and declined to prosecute, then appointed a replacement who brought charges. Comey's attorneys argued the prosecution was retaliatory, noting the original prosecutor found insufficient evidence and was removed after refusing to indict. The case raised acute questions about the independence of federal prosecutorial decisions and presidential use of DOJ for political purposes.