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Previous FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's legal representative submitted the response representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the proceedings thrown out for various causes including that his defendant, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was indicted just days after the former president pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on mid-week, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the judge they planned to submit several legal requests to terminate the case before a court case, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to assume control of the legal matter.

The former director's proceedings was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his probe into another political adversary - the New York official - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the court on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

After listening to the judge recite his rights and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

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

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the period, the director was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey caused a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the national vote that he was probing Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, leading to disapproval from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

The federal government claim Mr Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the legislative body by saying he had not approved a person at the FBI to release to journalistic entities information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

In a video James Comey shared to his social media after he was accused, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged Donald Trump of behaving like a "autocrat".

"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he stated. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

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

The accusations against the former director surfaced after Donald Trump shared on social media calling for his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and other people.