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Previous FBI director James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's attorney entered the response acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for multiple factors including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused shortly after Trump pressured his attorney general to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they planned to file various legal requests to terminate the legal matter before a legal hearing, arguing the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to assume control of the legal matter.

The former director's legal matter was first managed by the original attorney, who left his position under pressure from Trump after his investigation into another opponent - NY AG Letitia James - failed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the court on Wednesday, conversing with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring his daughter, a US lawyer who the former government dismissed.

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

"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the proceedings.

Background Context

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was fired about four months into Donald Trump's first administration as national leader. At the period, Mr Comey was leading an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just immediately preceding the national vote that he was examining Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Legal actions against the candidate were not pursued, leading to disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he misled the legislative body by stating he had not permitted someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, block and slow" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media the former director shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he stated he was not guilty and alleged Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"We have known for a long time that there are costs to standing up to the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our knees."

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

These allegations against James Comey surfaced after the former president shared on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and other people.