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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to US legislators and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

His attorney entered the answer acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would try to have the proceedings terminated for multiple factors including that his client, a opponent of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was charged soon after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to take action against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald advised the judge they intended to submit several legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a court case, claiming the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to handle the proceedings.

Mr Comey's proceedings was originally handled by the original attorney, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into an additional political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his wife, Patrice Failor and offspring his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.

After listening to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, James Comey was questioned if he understood the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he told the judge.

Historical Information

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about several months into Trump's first term as president. At the time, Mr Comey was leading an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a personal email system. Indictments against Clinton were not filed, resulting in disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors assert the former director provided false information to the legislature during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by claiming he had not authorized someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, block and delay" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey published to his online platform after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged the former president of acting like a "autocrat".

"We have known for years that there are ramifications to standing up to Donald Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

The accusations against Mr Comey came after the former president shared on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and others.