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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His lawyer filed the answer representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would try to have the case dismissed for several reasons including that his defendant, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted shortly after Trump pressured his top legal official to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, his attorney the legal representative advised the court they aimed to submit several petitions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was improperly appointed to take over the case.

Mr Comey's proceedings was originally overseen by the original attorney, who stepped down under pressure from Trump after his investigation into an additional political adversary - the New York official - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in positive mood as he came into the court on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was supported by his partner, his wife and offspring Maureen, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

Following the reading to the judge state his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the accusations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.

Background Context

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about four months into the former president's first term as president. At the period, the director was directing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.

While in office, the director triggered a counter-response from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was probing Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, causing criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys assert the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he provided false information to the Senate by saying he had not approved an individual at the FBI to leak to journalistic entities data about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also charge the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and delay" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

In a video the former director shared to his Instagram after he was accused, he declared he was not guilty and alleged Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"Our household have known for years that there are consequences to standing up to the former president," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

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

The charges against James Comey came after Donald Trump published on social media insisting on his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and other people.