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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

The former director's attorney entered the answer representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would try to have the case terminated for various reasons including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was charged shortly after the former president pressured his top legal official to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on mid-week, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to present multiple legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully designated to assume control of the proceedings.

James Comey's legal matter was originally handled by the original attorney, who left his position under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into a different rival - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

James Comey seemed in good spirits as he came into the court on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was supported by his spouse, Patrice Failor and offspring his daughter, a US lawyer who the former government recently fired.

After listening to the court state his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in court on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he grasped the charges.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about four months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the period, the director was directing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, leading to negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government assert the former director provided false information to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he deceived the upper house by stating he had not approved an individual at the agency to leak to news outlets data about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also accuse Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, obstruct and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media the former director published to his Instagram after he was accused, he stated he was not guilty and alleged the former president of behaving like a "dictator".

"Our household have known for years that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

The charges against Mr Comey came after Donald Trump posted on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, charge the former director and others.