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Ex- FBI director James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to US legislators and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

His legal representative entered the plea representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would seek to have the case dismissed for multiple causes including that his defendant, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was indicted soon after the former president urged his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald informed the court they intended to present several petitions to dismiss the legal matter before a legal hearing, arguing the government's case was vindictive and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to assume control of the legal matter.

The former director's proceedings was originally handled by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from the former president after his probe into an additional opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in good spirits as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

Following the reading to the court read his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he understood the allegations.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into the former president's first administration as national leader. At the time, he was leading an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys allege the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by claiming he had not authorized an individual at the agency to disclose to journalistic entities information about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and slow" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Via social media Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was charged, he declared he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he said. "We will not live on our kneeling."

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

The accusations against the former director came after Donald Trump posted on social media calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and others.