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Ex- FBI director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer filed the response on his behalf in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the legal matter thrown out for various reasons including that his client, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was indicted soon after the former president pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative told the magistrate they aimed to file several petitions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully assigned to assume control of the case.

The former director's case was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who resigned under pressure from Trump after his probe into a different opponent - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in positive mood as he walked into the legal venue on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

After listening to the magistrate state his legal protections and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he told the court.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into Donald Trump's first administration as national leader. At the time, Mr Comey was leading an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey triggered a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he stated just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were never brought, resulting in criticism from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not permitted someone at the FBI to disclose to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, obstruct and impede" the committee by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

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

"Our household have understood for years that there are ramifications to opposing Mr Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our bended knee."

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

The accusations against Mr Comey came after Donald Trump published on online platforms demanding his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and others.