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Ex- FBI chief James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.

His attorney entered the answer representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer announced he would seek to have the legal matter thrown out for several causes including that his defendant, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was formally accused just days after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on mid-week, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald informed the court they planned to file various legal requests to dismiss the case before a legal hearing, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was improperly assigned to take over the legal matter.

The former director's proceedings was originally managed by the original attorney, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his probe into another rival - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was supported by his spouse, Mrs Failor and daughter his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

Upon hearing to the court recite his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the accusations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he told the judge.

Previous Events

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the moment, he was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey caused a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

The federal government assert the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They say he provided false information to the legislative body by claiming he had not approved an individual at the agency to disclose to news outlets data about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also accuse the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording the former director published to his online platform after he was charged, he said he was not guilty and charged Trump of behaving like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are ramifications to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against the former director surfaced after Donald Trump shared on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and additional individuals.