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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

His lawyer submitted the plea on his behalf in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the legal matter terminated for several reasons including that his defendant, a critic of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was formally accused soon after Donald Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they intended to present several legal requests to throw out the case before a trial, stating the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully appointed to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's proceedings was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under influence from the former president after his examination into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Legal Setting

James Comey came across in positive mood as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and making jokes. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

Upon hearing to the court state his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he told the court.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about a few months into Trump's first term as national leader. At the time, the director was leading an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey triggered a backlash from Democrats when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was investigating Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, causing negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

The federal government assert James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the Senate by saying he had not permitted a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to sway, hinder and slow" the panel by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Via social media Mr Comey published to his social media after he was indicted, he said he was innocent and accused Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after Trump published on social media insisting on his attorney general, Ms Bondi, charge James Comey and other people.