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Former FBI director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's attorney submitted the response acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for several reasons including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after Donald Trump urged his top legal official to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to file multiple legal requests to dismiss the case before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to handle the proceedings.

The former director's proceedings was first handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into a different rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the court on mid-week, chatting with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the former government terminated.

Following the reading to the court recite his legal protections and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he grasped the allegations.

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

Background Context

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was overseeing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim the former director gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he deceived the upper house by stating he had not authorized an individual at the FBI to release to media organizations details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and impede" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of behaving like a "dictator".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are costs to challenging the former president," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

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

The accusations against Mr Comey surfaced after the former president shared on social media calling for his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against the former director and others.