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Previous 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 attorney entered the answer representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would try to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple factors including that his defendant, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged shortly after the former president pressured his top legal official to take action against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald told the court they intended to submit several motions to dismiss the legal matter before a trial, arguing the government's case was spiteful and that a government lawyer was improperly appointed to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's case was originally overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Legal Setting

The former director appeared in positive mood as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, speaking with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his partner, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the previous administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the magistrate state his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he grasped the accusations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.

Historical Information

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as president. At the time, the director was leading an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director triggered a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, leading to disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors claim the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They say he misled the Senate by saying he had not permitted an individual at the agency to leak to journalistic entities information about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and delay" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey published to his online platform after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and charged Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"We have been aware for considerable time that there are consequences to challenging Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Thus initiate a trial."

The accusations against Mr Comey came after the former president published on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, charge Mr Comey and others.