Former FBI Director James Comey was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday morning.

He faces charges of alleged false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. Comey has said he is innocent.

The former FBI director had his first court appearance at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. The hearing took place at the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse. This is located in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Comey’s wife Patrice and daughter Maureen were spotted waiting in line outside the courthouse Wednesday morning.

District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff presided over the hearing.

Comey was indicted in September by a federal grand jury. He faces two counts. The first is alleged false statements within jurisdiction of the legislative branch. The second is obstruction of a congressional proceeding.

The indictment alleges that Comey obstructed a congressional investigation. This investigation concerned the disclosure of sensitive information. The charge cites violation of 18 USC 1505.

The indictment also alleges Comey made a false statement to Congress. He stated he did not authorize someone at the FBI to be an anonymous source. According to the indictment, that statement was false.

Fox News Digital exclusively reported in July that Comey was under criminal investigation. The FBI probe into Comey centered on whether he lied to Congress. His Sept. 30, 2020, testimony is at the center of the case.

Comey testified about his handling of the original Trump-Russia probe. The investigation was known inside the bureau as Crossfire Hurricane.

Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke on X after the indictment.

“No one is above the law. This reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case.”

FBI Director Kash Patel issued a strong statement about the indictment.

“Previous corrupt leadership and their enablers weaponized federal law enforcement, damaging once proud institutions and severely eroding public trust.”

“Every day, we continue the fight to earn that trust back, and under my leadership, this FBI will confront the problem head-on. Nowhere was this politicization of law enforcement more blatant than during the Russiagate hoax, a disgraceful chapter in history we continue to investigate and expose.”

“Everyone, especially those in positions of power, will be held to account – no matter their perch.”

Comey posted an Instagram video after being indicted. He denied the allegations against him.

“My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way. We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either. Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant, and she’s right.”

“But I’m not afraid.”

“My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I am innocent, so let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”

Fox News Digital also exclusively reported that former CIA Director John Brennan is under criminal investigation. His probe relates to the Trump-Russia investigation as well.

Under federal law, prosecutors have five years to bring charges. The five-year mark occurred on Tuesday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is handling the case.

The FBI opened its Trump-Russia probe in July 2016. Inside the bureau, agents called it Crossfire Hurricane.

President Donald Trump fired Comey in May 2017 during his first term. Days later, Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel. He took over the FBI’s original Crossfire Hurricane investigation.

After nearly two years, Mueller’s investigation concluded in March 2019. The probe yielded no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination. There was no proof the Trump campaign worked with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election.

Shortly after, John Durham was appointed as special counsel. His job was to investigate the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane probe.

Durham found that the FBI failed to act on clear warning signs. The bureau was the target of a Clinton-led effort. This effort aimed to manipulate or influence the law enforcement process for political purposes. This happened ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

“The aforementioned facts reflect a rather startling and inexplicable failure to adequately consider and incorporate the Clinton Plan intelligence into the FBI’s investigative decision-making in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.”

“Indeed, had the FBI opened the Crossfire Hurricane investigation as an assessment and, in turn, gathered and analyzed data in concert with the information from the Clinton Plan intelligence, it is likely that the information received would have been examined, at a minimum, with a more critical eye.”

Durham said in his report that the FBI failed to act appropriately. When combined with other incontrovertible facts, there was a clear warning sign. The FBI might have been the target of an effort to manipulate the law enforcement process. This manipulation was for political purposes during the 2016 presidential election.

Comey now faces the consequences of his actions. He weaponized the FBI against President Trump. He launched an investigation with no evidence. He lied to Congress about his actions.

Justice is finally being served.