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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

The former director's legal representative submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the case terminated for several causes including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was charged just days after Donald Trump urged his top legal official to move forward against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the judge they planned to present various legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a court case, arguing the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully designated to assume control of the proceedings.

James Comey's legal matter was first managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into another opponent - the New York official - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

James Comey came across in positive mood as he entered the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was supported by his wife, his wife and daughter Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.

After listening to the judge read his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he grasped the charges.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the proceedings.

Historical Information

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into the former president's first administration as president. At the moment, he was directing an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey caused a backlash from the Democratic party when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was probing political contender the candidate's use of a personal email system. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

The federal government allege Mr Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he deceived the legislative body by saying he had not approved someone at the FBI to leak to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "wrongfully trying to affect, block and slow" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording Mr Comey shared to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was innocent and alleged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to the former president," he commented. "We will not live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

These allegations against Mr Comey surfaced after Donald Trump shared on online platforms calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.