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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's lawyer submitted the plea on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the case terminated for various causes including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was formally accused shortly after Trump pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on mid-week, his attorney the legal representative informed the magistrate they planned to file multiple petitions to throw out the legal matter before a trial, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was improperly assigned to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's proceedings was initially overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under influence from Donald Trump after his examination into a different political adversary - the New York official - failed to file indictments.

Legal Setting

James Comey appeared in positive mood as he entered the legal venue on Wednesday, chatting with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was joined by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the judge recite his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the allegations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he stated to the proceedings.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the moment, he was directing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the election effort.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against the candidate were not filed, leading to negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey provided false information to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he deceived the Senate by claiming he had not authorized someone at the FBI to disclose to journalistic entities details about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also allege Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, block and slow" the committee by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Via social media Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was accused, he said he was wrongly accused and accused Donald Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

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

These allegations against the former director emerged after the former president posted on digital channels insisting on his top legal official, Pam Bondi, take legal action against James Comey and other people.