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Previous FBI director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and hindering a legislative process.

Mr Comey's attorney filed the answer on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer stated he would try to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple reasons including that his defendant, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was formally accused just days after the former president pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they intended to present multiple petitions to terminate the case before a trial, claiming the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was wrongfully appointed to assume control of the legal matter.

Mr Comey's proceedings was first managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under influence from Donald Trump after his investigation into another rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the court on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the previous administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his legal protections and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was questioned if he comprehended the charges.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the court.

Historical Information

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was terminated about four months into the former president's first administration as president. At the moment, the director was overseeing an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a counter-response from liberal politicians when he announced just days before the national vote that he was investigating presidential nominee the candidate's use of a personal email system. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors allege the former director lied to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations information about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, hinder and impede" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording the former director shared to his social media after he was accused, he stated he was innocent and charged the former president of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have understood for a long time that there are costs to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he added. "So let's have a court case."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after the former president shared on social media insisting on his attorney general, Pam Bondi, take legal action against James Comey and others.