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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the former director has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His lawyer submitted the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for various causes including that his defendant, a opponent of former President Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused just days after Trump urged his top legal official to take action against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the judge they aimed to submit several petitions to dismiss the case before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully assigned to assume control of the legal matter.

The former director's legal matter was initially managed by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into another rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in positive mood as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and sharing humor. He was joined by his spouse, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

Following the reading to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he stated to the judge.

Previous Events

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was dismissed about four months into the former president's first administration as national leader. At the moment, Mr Comey was leading an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Russia and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, James Comey triggered a counter-response from liberal politicians when he announced just days before the national vote that he was probing Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Clinton were not pursued, causing criticism 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 examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not approved a person at the agency to disclose to news outlets details about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to affect, block and impede" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and alleged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he stated. "We will not live on our bended knee."

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

The accusations against Mr Comey came after Trump shared on social media calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, charge James Comey and other people.