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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to US legislators and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer entered the answer acting as his counsel in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the proceedings thrown out for several causes including that his client, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was charged shortly after Trump pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on mid-week, the defense counsel the legal representative told the magistrate they aimed to present various motions to dismiss the case before a court case, stating the prosecution was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to assume control of the case.

Mr Comey's case was first managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under pressure from Trump after his examination into an additional political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in good spirits as he walked into the legal venue on Wednesday, speaking with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the magistrate recite his rights and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was asked if he comprehended the accusations.

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

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about several months into the former president's first administration as president. At the period, the director was leading an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey triggered a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was examining presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against the candidate were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege Mr Comey provided false information to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not approved someone at the agency to leak to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also charge James Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, block and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

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

"We have known for considerable time that there are costs to opposing the former president," he stated. "We will not live on our knees."

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

The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after the former president shared on online platforms insisting on his top legal official, the attorney general, charge James Comey and additional individuals.