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Good morning and welcome our reporting of US politics with ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief James Comey due to make his first court appearance in a DOJ criminal case charging him with lied to Congress back in 2020.

Judicial Process and Expected Developments

The arraignment is expected to be brief, as reported by the Associated Press, but the event is nonetheless filled with historic weight since the case has heightened concerns that the DOJ is being weaponized in pursuit of Donald Trump's political enemies.

Comey is expected to declare his innocence at the federal courthouse in Virginia's Alexandria, and his legal team will very likely attempt to have the charges thrown out before trial, potentially by arguing that the legal action amounts to a selective or retaliatory legal pursuit.

Detailed Accusations and Legal Contentions

The two-charge formal charges asserts that Comey made a false statement to the Congressional committee on the fall of 2020, by stating he hadn't approved an associate to serve as an unnamed source to the press, and that he obstructed a congressional proceeding.

Comey has maintained his innocence and has said he was looking forward to a legal proceedings. These charges does not identify the associate or detail what material may have been discussed with the press.

Governmental Setting and Wider Consequences

While criminal charges are normally just the start of a protracted legal process, the Justice Department has trumpeted the development itself as something of a win.

Former administration authorities are expected to reference any guilty verdict as confirmation the prosecution was appropriately based, but an exoneration or even dismissal may also be cited as more backing for their persistent argument that the legal system is stacked against them.

Court Assignment and Governmental Comments

The presiding judge chosen by lottery to the proceedings, Nachmanoff, is a President Biden's administration judicial appointment. Famous for systematic approach and a cool temperament, the judge and his background have already drawn the president's notice, with Donald Trump criticizing him as a "Crooked Joe Biden appointed court official."

Other Governmental Events

• President Trump conferred with the Canada's leader, Prime Minister Carney, and humorously suggested him to consent to "combining" of their respective nations
• Trump indicated that he might disregard a statute requiring that furloughed government workers will receive back pay when the federal shutdown concludes
• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson claimed that his choice to stave off the inauguration of congresswoman-elect the Arizona representative of Arizona has "no connection" with the reality that she would be the critical endorser on the cross-party congressional measure
• Secretary Noem, the homeland security secretary, visited the Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in the Portland facility joined by political commentators

During the five-hour proceedings, Bondi would not address many of the executive branch's disputed actions, even with continual questioning from the opposition party

When pressed, she personally attacked a number of lawmakers from the opposition or invoked the continuing government shutdown to depict them as negligent.

Global Events

In Egypt, a American delegation has joined the indirect talks taking place between Hamas and Israel on the former president's Gaza proposal with the latest news that hostage and prisoner rosters have been traded.