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

The former director's legal representative entered the answer on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for various factors including that his client, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was indicted just days after Donald Trump urged his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald told the judge they aimed to present various motions to dismiss the legal matter before a trial, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully assigned to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's proceedings was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into another opponent - NY AG Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

James Comey seemed in good spirits as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring his daughter, a government attorney who the former government terminated.

Following the reading to the judge recite his rights and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he understood the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you," he stated to the judge.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about a few months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a counter-response from Democrats when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, resulting in disapproval from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors allege Mr Comey provided false information to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by saying he had not permitted an individual at the agency to disclose to news outlets details about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to sway, hinder and delay" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording James Comey shared to his social media after he was charged, he stated he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"We have understood for years that there are ramifications to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after Trump posted on social media demanding his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and additional individuals.