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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the former director has denied the charges to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.

The former director's legal representative entered the plea on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney announced he would attempt to have the case dismissed for various reasons including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was charged just days after the former president pressured his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald told the court they intended to present several petitions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was initially handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into an additional opponent - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey appeared in good spirits as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, speaking with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was supported by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.

After listening to the magistrate recite his rights and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the court.

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the period, Mr Comey was overseeing an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey triggered a backlash from Democrats when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was examining political contender Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing criticism from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government claim Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the upper house by claiming he had not approved an individual at the agency to leak to journalistic entities details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also allege Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, hinder and delay" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

In a video James Comey shared to his online platform after he was charged, he declared he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

"We have understood for years that there are ramifications to opposing the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he added. "So let's have a trial."

These allegations against Mr Comey emerged after Trump published on digital channels demanding his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.