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Former FBI director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

Mr Comey's lawyer filed the plea acting as his counsel in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would attempt to have the legal matter thrown out for several factors including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was charged just days after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald advised the court they intended to present various legal requests to dismiss the legal matter before a legal hearing, stating the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's legal matter was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his probe into another opponent - the New York official - was unable to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the legal venue on Wednesday, conversing with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Failor and offspring his daughter, a US lawyer who the previous administration terminated.

Following the reading to the magistrate read his rights and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, James Comey was inquired if he comprehended the accusations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the judge.

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, he was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

While in office, James Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he announced just shortly prior to the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Clinton were not pursued, resulting in disapproval from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

The federal government claim James Comey lied to the legislature during a legislative proceeding 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 legislative body by saying he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to journalistic entities information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and impede" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording James Comey shared to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was innocent and accused the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are consequences to opposing Mr Trump," he stated. "We will not live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he continued. "Thus initiate a trial."

These allegations against Mr Comey came after Donald Trump posted on online platforms demanding his attorney general, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.