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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the former director has denied the charges to making false statements to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's attorney filed the plea on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney stated he would seek to have the legal matter terminated for several reasons including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was formally accused just days after Trump pushed his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they intended to present multiple legal requests to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the legal action was retaliatory and that a US attorney was unlawfully designated to assume control of the legal matter.

The former director's case was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from Trump after his examination into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to file indictments.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his wife, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

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

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

Background Context

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about several months into Trump's first term as president. At the time, Mr Comey was leading an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he stated just shortly prior to the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors allege the former director provided false information to the legislature during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he misled the upper house by stating he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to news outlets details about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also accuse James Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, obstruct and impede" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording the former director published to his social media after he was accused, he declared he was not guilty and charged Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"We have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to the former president," he commented. "We will not live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

These allegations against Mr Comey came after Trump shared on digital channels calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, take legal action against James Comey and additional individuals.