James Comey, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, appeared in court for the first time following a second indictment against him.
The charges stem from a social media post that the Justice Department determined constituted a threat to the president.
Comey’s legal team argued the post was protected speech under the First Amendment.
The judge did not immediately rule on the motion to dismiss the case.
The former FBI director has faced ongoing legal scrutiny since leaving his post.
This latest indictment adds to a growing list of legal challenges for Comey.
Prosecutors described the post as an explicit attempt to intimidate a sitting president.
The defense countered that the government was overreaching in its interpretation of the message.
Court proceedings were brief, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for next month.
Comey remains free on his own recognizance while the case progresses.
