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Welcome and thank you for joining our live updates of US politics with former FBI Head James Comey set to make his first court appearance in a DOJ criminal case alleging he deceived the U.S. Congress back in 2020.

Legal Proceedings and Expected Outcomes

The first court appearance is expected to be brief, as reported by AP news agency, but the event is nevertheless packed with historic weight since the legal matter has heightened apprehensions that the Justice Department is being employed politically in targeting Donald Trump's government critics.

Comey is projected to declare his innocence at the U.S. district court in Alexandria, Virginia, and defense lawyers will almost certainly attempt to get the indictment dismissed prior to trial, possibly by arguing that the legal action represents a selective or spiteful criminal case.

Specific Charges and Judicial Assertions

The two-charge indictment asserts that James Comey provided untrue information to the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 30, 2020, by stating he hadn't authorized an associate to serve as an anonymous source to the press, and that he obstructed a congressional proceeding.

James Comey has claimed he did nothing wrong and has expressed he was looking forward to a court trial. The indictment fails to name the associate or say what details may have been discussed with the press.

Political Setting and Larger Ramifications

Though an indictment are normally just the commencement of a protracted legal process, the Justice Department has trumpeted the development itself as a form of success.

Previous government representatives are anticipated to reference any criminal finding as confirmation the legal matter was well-justified, but an exoneration or even dismissal may also be presented as more backing for their ongoing claim that the judicial system is stacked against them.

Court Appointment and Political Reactions

The presiding judge randomly assigned to the legal matter, Judge Nachmanoff, is a Biden administration appointee. Known for methodical preparation and a calm demeanor, the court official and his history have already attracted the commander-in-chief's attention, with the former president deriding him as a "Crooked Joe Biden appointed judicial officer."

Other Political Events

• The former president met with the Canada's leader, Carney, and lightheartedly proposed him to accept "combining" of their respective nations
• The former president indicated that he might not follow a statute stipulating that government staff without pay will receive back pay when the government shutdown concludes
• Speaker of the House Johnson said that his decision to postpone the official seating of newly elected representative Grijalva of AZ has "no relation" with the reality that she would be the critical signature on the both parties legislative petition
• Secretary Noem, the homeland security secretary, visited the immigration enforcement location in Oregon's Portland accompanied by political commentators

Throughout the five-hour hearing, Attorney General Bondi declined to discuss several the executive branch's controversial decisions, despite ongoing interrogation from the Democrats

Under pressure, she made personal remarks about a number of lawmakers from the other party or invoked the continuing government shutdown to characterize them as irresponsible.

Worldwide Situations

In Egypt, a American delegation has joined the negotiations happening between the Hamas organization and Israel on the former president's Gaza proposal with the latest news that held individuals lists have been traded.