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Former FBI director James the former director has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to congressional representatives and impeding a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer entered the response acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the case dismissed for multiple factors including that his client, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was indicted soon after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they aimed to present several motions to dismiss the proceedings before a legal hearing, arguing the government's case was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully appointed to assume control of the legal matter.

Mr Comey's legal matter was initially handled by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from the former president after his examination into a different rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Legal Setting

The former director appeared in good spirits as he entered the court on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was supported by his wife, Patrice Failor and offspring his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

After listening to the court read his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he comprehended the allegations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he stated to the proceedings.

Background Context

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the moment, he was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director caused a backlash from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the national vote that he was investigating Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a personal email system. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey provided false information to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted someone at the agency to release to journalistic entities data about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and impede" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

In a video Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was indicted, he said he was wrongly accused and charged the former president of acting like a "autocrat".

"Our household have known for considerable time that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "So let's have a trial."

The accusations against the former director came after Trump posted on social media calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, charge James Comey and additional individuals.