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Former FBI director James the former director has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's lawyer entered the plea representing him in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple reasons including that his the accused, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after Trump pushed his attorney general to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the judge they aimed to file multiple petitions to dismiss the case before a legal hearing, stating the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was improperly appointed to take over the legal matter.

The former director's proceedings was first overseen by the original attorney, 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 initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

The former director appeared in good spirits as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and making jokes. He was accompanied by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the former government dismissed.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he comprehended the charges.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the judge.

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as president. At the moment, the director was overseeing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey caused a backlash from the Democratic party when he stated just days before the national vote that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were never brought, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government claim the former director gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he misled the Senate by claiming he had not approved a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, hinder and delay" the committee by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was charged, he stated he was not guilty and alleged Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

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

"I am not guilty," he added. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

The accusations against James Comey surfaced after Donald Trump published on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, Ms Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and additional individuals.