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

The arraignment is expected to be brief, but the moment is nonetheless loaded with significance given that the case has amplified concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponised in pursuit of Trump’s political enemies and is operating at the behest of a White House determined to seek retribution for perceived wrongs against the president.

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, kick-starting a process of legal wrangling in which defence lawyers will almost certainly move to get the indictment dismissed before trial, possibly by arguing the case amounts to a selective or vindictive prosecution.

Comey’s trial date is set for January 5.

The indictment two weeks ago followed an extraordinary chain of events that saw Trump publicly implore Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey and other perceived adversaries.

The Republican president also replaced the veteran lawyer who had been overseeing the investigation with Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide who had never previously served as a federal prosecutor.