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Good morning and welcome our live updates of American political developments with one-time FBI Director Comey expected to make his first court hearing in a Justice Department prosecution alleging he lied to legislative branch back in 2020.

Legal Proceedings and Expected Outcomes

The first court appearance is anticipated to be short, as reported by Associated Press, but the occasion is nonetheless packed with historical significance given that the case has increased concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized in pursuit of President Trump's political enemies.

James Comey is expected to declare his innocence at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, and attorneys will very likely attempt to have the charges thrown out prior to trial, possibly by arguing that the prosecution represents a targeted or vindictive prosecution.

Specific Allegations and Judicial Assertions

The dual-count legal accusation asserts that Comey provided untrue information to the Senate Judiciary Committee on 30 September 2020, by denying he had authorized an assistant to act as an unnamed source to the press, and that he obstructed a legislative process.

James Comey has claimed he did nothing wrong and has expressed he was eager for a court trial. The indictment fails to name the associate or specify what material may have been shared with the news organizations.

Political Context and Wider Consequences

While criminal charges are usually just the beginning of a protracted court process, the DOJ has trumpeted the situation itself as something of a win.

Trump administration representatives are expected to reference any criminal finding as evidence the legal matter was properly founded, but an exoneration or even dismissal may also be presented as additional evidence for their ongoing contention that the judicial system is prejudiced toward them.

Court Assignment and Political Comments

The presiding judge selected through random assignment to the legal matter, Judge Nachmanoff, is a Biden administration appointee. Recognized for methodical preparation and a cool temperament, the court official and his experience have already received the commander-in-chief's attention, with the former president criticizing him as a "Crooked Joe Biden nominated judicial officer."

Further Administrative Developments

• The former president conferred with the PM, Mark Carney, and humorously suggested him to accept "a merger" of their both nations
• Donald Trump suggested that he might not follow a legislation mandating that government staff without pay will obtain retroactive payment when the government shutdown finishes
• Congressional leader Johnson stated that his choice to stave off swearing in congresswoman-elect Grijalva of the state of Arizona has "no connection" with the reality that she would be the 218th signatory on the both parties legislative petition
• Noem, the homeland security secretary, inspected the ICE facility in Portland, Oregon joined by conservative influencers

Throughout the five-hour proceedings, the AG would not talk about many of the administration's disputed actions, even with ongoing interrogation from the opposition party

Under pressure, she personally attacked multiple senators from the opposition or invoked the ongoing government shutdown to characterize them as negligent.

Global Situations

In Egypt, a US delegation has joined the negotiations occurring between the Hamas organization and Israel on the Middle East initiative with the latest news that captive and detainee rosters have been shared.