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Previous FBI director James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer entered the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the proceedings terminated for several reasons including that his the accused, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was formally accused soon after Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they aimed to present several legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was improperly assigned to take over the case.

Mr Comey's case was initially handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under influence from Trump after his examination into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was joined by his spouse, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration terminated.

After listening to the judge recite his legal protections and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he comprehended the allegations.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was terminated about several months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the period, the director was overseeing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey caused a negative reaction from Democrats when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, leading to negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors allege the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he provided false information to the Senate by claiming he had not authorized a person at the FBI to release to news outlets data about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege the defendant of "wrongfully trying to affect, hinder and delay" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

In a video James Comey posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he said he was innocent and alleged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he commented. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after Trump published on online platforms insisting on his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and other people.