Overview

• He entered the plea at a federal arraignment in Alexandria before Judge Michael Nachmanoff and was released without conditions.
• The court scheduled a jury trial for Jan. 5, 2026, following the defense request for a speedy date.
• Prosecutors say the charges stem from his September 2020 congressional testimony denying he authorized an anonymous source for press reports.
• Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said he will file two motions to dismiss, alleging malicious and selective prosecution and challenging the lawfulness of the interim U.S. attorney’s role.
• The indictment followed President Trump’s replacement of Erik Siebert with Lindsey Halligan three days before the grand jury presentation, a change that has drawn questions from legal commentators about statutory 120‑day limits on interim service.