🔗 Share this article

Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's attorney submitted the response representing him in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the proceedings thrown out for several factors including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged just days after the former president urged his top legal official to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative told the magistrate they intended to file several motions to dismiss the case before a legal hearing, arguing the prosecution was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly designated to take over the case.

Mr Comey's legal matter was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his investigation into a different opponent - NY AG Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in good spirits as he came into the legal venue on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, his wife and child his daughter, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you," he told the court.

Historical Information

James Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was fired about several months into Donald Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, the director was leading an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director triggered a negative reaction from Democrats when he announced just days before the national vote that he was investigating political contender the candidate's use of a personal email system. Charges against Clinton were never brought, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government assert Mr Comey lied to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he provided false information to the legislative body by stating he had not approved someone at the agency to disclose to news outlets details about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "improperly attempting to influence, obstruct and impede" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media the former director posted to his Instagram after he was accused, he stated he was wrongly accused and accused Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have understood for years that there are consequences to opposing Mr Trump," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he added. "So let's have a trial."

The accusations against James Comey surfaced after Donald Trump shared on digital channels insisting on his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, prosecute James Comey and additional individuals.