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Former FBI head James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

His legal representative filed the response on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would attempt to have the proceedings thrown out for multiple factors including that his defendant, a opponent of former President Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they aimed to file multiple petitions to terminate the proceedings before a court case, arguing the legal action was vindictive and that a US attorney was improperly assigned to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's case was initially handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under influence from the former president after his investigation into a different political adversary - the New York official - was unable to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the court on mid-week, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his spouse, Mrs Failor and offspring his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration dismissed.

After listening to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on mid-week, the defendant was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he stated to the proceedings.

Historical Information

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as national leader. At the time, he was leading an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a backlash from Democrats when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a private email server. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys allege the former director lied to Congress during a legislative proceeding in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he provided false information to the Senate by claiming he had not authorized an individual at the agency to leak to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and delay" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was indicted, he stated he was wrongly accused and accused Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a court case."

The accusations against the former director came after Trump posted on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and additional individuals.