Ex-FBI director James Comey pleads not guilty to lying to Congress

Former FBI director James Comey pleaded not guilty (Scott Applewhite/AP)

Former FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty in a criminal case that has thrown a spotlight on the Justice Department’s efforts to target adversaries of President Donald Trump.

Comey entered a not guilty plea through his lawyer at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, to allegations that he lied to Congress five years ago.