From CNN, I'm Erin Matheson, with the five things you need to know for Wednesday, October 8th.

We start with the arraignment of former FBI director James Comey.

He appeared before a federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia this morning, on charges of providing false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

He pleaded not guilty, and if convicted, he could face a maximum of five years in prison.

No cameras were allowed in the courtroom, but CNN's Elie Honig has been following

the case and says it's unique.

Jim Comey grew up as a prosecutor on the other side of the courtroom.

He was the deputy attorney general of the United

States. He was director of the FBI. Now he's going to be sitting at the defense table. He will

be read the charges by the judge. He will surely plead not guilty. CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams

says most of today's proceedings were procedural. But looming over at all are questions about

President Donald Trump's role in the case.

This idea of an American president having quite specifically targeted or identified his

political opponents for prosecution is something that causes a great degree of alarm among many

people in America, and that's going to be looming over the case. And some of that may even come up in court today.

Comey plans to ask the federal judge to throw out the charges based on his claim that

they were unfairly brought.

A trial was set for January 5th, and it's expected to last a few days.

Now to the latest on the ongoing battle over National Guard troop deployment to Democratic-led cities.

The situation is escalating.

In a social media post today, President Donald Trump called for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Prisker to be jailed.

It comes after a law enforcement source says members of the Texas National Guard were mobilized

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