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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and obstructing a legislative process.

The former director's attorney submitted the response on his behalf in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the proceedings terminated for multiple factors including that his client, a detractor of former President Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused just days after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they planned to present several petitions to dismiss the legal matter before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully designated to take over the proceedings.

James Comey's proceedings was first managed by the original attorney, who resigned under influence from Trump after his examination into another opponent - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey came across in positive mood as he entered the court on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was joined by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the previous administration dismissed.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his rights and the two counts against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he grasped the charges.

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

Background Context

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was terminated about several months into the former president's first term as president. At the time, the director was overseeing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the election effort.

While in office, Mr Comey caused a counter-response from Democrats when he declared just days before the national vote that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were never brought, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim James Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They say he misled the Senate by saying he had not permitted a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to journalistic entities data about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, obstruct and slow" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording James Comey posted to his Instagram after he was accused, he stated he was innocent and accused Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he stated. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he added. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

The accusations against the former director surfaced after Trump shared on social media calling for his attorney general, Pam Bondi, charge James Comey and other people.