A lawyer for the former F.B.I. director said he would accuse the Justice Department of malicious and selective prosecution and contend that a U.S. attorney was illegally appointed.

© Kenny Holston/The New York Times

The former F.B.I. director appeared in a brief hearing in federal court. His lawyers sought clarity on the details of a case filed under pressure from President Trump.

© Jared Soares for The New York Times

As despots have done for centuries, Trump is persecuting people he considers his enemies, with little justification other than raw political power.