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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's legal representative submitted the plea representing him in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the proceedings terminated for various reasons including that his the accused, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged shortly after the former president pushed his attorney general to take action against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to submit several motions to dismiss the legal matter before a court case, claiming the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was improperly designated to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's case was originally overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under pressure from the former president after his examination into a different rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he came into the legal venue on Wednesday, speaking with his legal team and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he comprehended the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he told the judge.

Background Context

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 period, he was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.

While in office, James Comey caused a backlash from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the national vote that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against the candidate were never brought, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys allege the former director gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the Senate by saying he had not authorized an individual at the FBI to disclose to journalistic entities data about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he said he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of behaving like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have known for years that there are consequences to standing up to Mr Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our knees."

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

These allegations against the former director came after the former president published on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, Pam Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.