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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the former director has denied the charges to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a legislative process.

Mr Comey's attorney submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would attempt to have the proceedings terminated for multiple causes including that his the accused, a opponent of former President Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused just days after Trump pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative told the judge they intended to file multiple petitions to throw out the case before a court case, stating the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to handle the case.

James Comey's case was originally handled by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his investigation into a different rival - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his partner, Patrice Failor and child Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

After listening to the magistrate state his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was questioned if he understood the allegations.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into Trump's first term as president. At the time, he was overseeing an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between Russia and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey caused a backlash from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Legal actions against the candidate were not pursued, causing disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he deceived the Senate by stating he had not permitted a person at the agency to disclose to media organizations information about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also allege Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to sway, obstruct and delay" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

In a video Mr Comey published to his social media after he was accused, he declared he was innocent and alleged the former president of acting like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are ramifications to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against James Comey surfaced after Donald Trump posted on social media insisting on his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against James Comey and others.