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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

His legal representative entered the answer acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for several factors including that his defendant, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted shortly after Donald Trump urged his top legal official to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald told the judge they intended to file various motions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, stating the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was wrongfully appointed to handle the proceedings.

James Comey's proceedings was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under pressure from the former president after his examination into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Legal Setting

James Comey came across in good spirits as he entered the legal venue on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his spouse, Mrs Failor and child his daughter, a US lawyer who the former government recently fired.

After listening to the magistrate state his legal protections and the dual charges against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was questioned if he comprehended the accusations.

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

Background Context

The former director was the head of the FBI from four years and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's first administration as national leader. At the moment, the director was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director caused a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Clinton were not pursued, leading to negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

The federal government claim the former director gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he provided false information to the upper house by claiming he had not authorized an individual at the agency to leak to journalistic entities information about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also accuse Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, block and impede" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording James Comey shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and charged Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have known for considerable time that there are consequences to opposing Mr Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

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

These allegations against the former director emerged after Donald Trump shared on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, Pam Bondi, charge Mr Comey and others.