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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to congressional representatives and impeding a congressional proceeding.

The former director's attorney entered the answer acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer stated he would attempt to have the proceedings thrown out for several causes including that his defendant, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was indicted soon after the former president pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they planned to file multiple motions to dismiss the legal matter before a trial, stating the government's case was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was improperly designated to handle the legal matter.

The former director's legal matter was first overseen by the original attorney, who stepped down under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional opponent - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the court on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen, a US lawyer who the previous administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the allegations.

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

Background Context

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was dismissed about four months into Donald Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from liberal politicians when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, causing disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey lied to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted a person at the agency to leak to media organizations data about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also charge Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, obstruct and slow" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording James Comey posted to his online platform after he was indicted, he declared he was not guilty and accused the former president of behaving like a "dictator".

"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are costs to opposing Donald Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

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

The charges against James Comey emerged after the former president published on digital channels calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and others.