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Previous FBI head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His attorney submitted the response on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney declared he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for multiple reasons including that his client, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

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

Judicial Process

In court on mid-week, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the court they planned to submit several petitions to dismiss the legal matter before a court case, stating the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully designated to assume control of the proceedings.

The former director's case was first managed by the original attorney, who resigned under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional rival - the New York official - did not succeed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his attorneys and making jokes. He was joined by his wife, Patrice Failor and child Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the court state his legal protections and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, James Comey was questioned if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the judge.

Historical Information

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into Trump's first administration as national leader. At the moment, the director was overseeing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the election effort.

While in office, Mr Comey caused a backlash from Democrats when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was probing political contender the candidate's use of a personal email system. Charges against the candidate were not filed, resulting in criticism from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors claim James Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the upper house by stating he had not approved an individual at the FBI to leak to news outlets data about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, obstruct and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording James Comey shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for years that there are costs to challenging Mr Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The charges against the former director emerged after Trump published on online platforms insisting on his attorney general, the attorney general, prosecute James Comey and other people.