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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

Mr Comey's attorney filed the response acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would attempt to have the case dismissed for multiple reasons including that his client, a opponent of former President Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on mid-week, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they planned to present various legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was improperly appointed to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's proceedings was initially handled by Erik Siebert, who left his position under influence from the former president after his probe into an additional rival - the New York official - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and offspring his daughter, a government attorney who the previous administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate recite his rights and the two counts against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the court.

Background Context

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Trump's first term as president. At the moment, Mr Comey was directing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, James Comey triggered a counter-response from Democrats when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Clinton were not pursued, causing criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys claim Mr Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he provided false information to the Senate by stating he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets data about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "improperly attempting to sway, obstruct and impede" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording James Comey shared to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and charged the former president of behaving like a "tyrant".

"Our household have known for years that there are costs to challenging the former president," he stated. "We refuse to live on our knees."

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

The accusations against the former director surfaced after Donald Trump shared on online platforms calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, charge the former director and other people.