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Former FBI head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and impeding a legislative process.

Mr Comey's attorney submitted the answer representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

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

The former director was formally accused soon after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald advised the judge they planned to submit several legal requests to throw out the legal matter before a legal hearing, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully designated to assume control of the legal matter.

Mr Comey's legal matter was originally managed by the original attorney, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his probe into a different rival - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey seemed in positive mood as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

After listening to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was questioned if he grasped the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the judge.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from four years and was terminated about a few months into the former president's first administration as president. At the time, he was overseeing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, the director triggered a backlash from liberal politicians when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating presidential nominee Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Clinton were not pursued, causing negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors assert the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he deceived the Senate by saying he had not authorized a person at the FBI to release to media organizations details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also accuse Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, obstruct and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Via social media the former director posted to his social media after he was accused, he said he was wrongly accused and alleged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are ramifications to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "Thus initiate a court case."

These allegations against James Comey came after Trump shared on social media calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, charge the former director and additional individuals.