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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative entered the answer acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the legal matter terminated for several causes including that his the accused, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was indicted shortly after Trump pushed his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to present various petitions to terminate the proceedings before a trial, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully assigned to assume control of the case.

Mr Comey's case was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into another opponent - the New York official - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he entered the court on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was supported by his partner, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen, a government attorney who the Trump administration terminated.

After listening to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the allegations.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about several months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, the director caused a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he announced just days before the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Clinton were never brought, causing negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors assert the former director lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by saying he had not approved a person at the FBI to release to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and slow" the committee by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

In a video Mr Comey published to his online platform after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and accused Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are consequences to challenging the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "So let's have a court case."

The accusations against the former director emerged after Trump posted on social media insisting on his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and additional individuals.