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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

His attorney submitted the answer on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer declared he would try to have the case terminated for various causes including that his client, a detractor of former President Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was charged soon after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to take action against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative advised the court they planned to file various legal requests to dismiss the case before a court case, arguing the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was improperly designated to handle the legal matter.

The former director's case was first managed by Erik Siebert, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his probe into another political adversary - the New York official - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey seemed in good spirits as he came into the legal venue on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.

After listening to the court recite his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he grasped the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the proceedings.

Background Context

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was fired about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as national leader. At the moment, he was leading an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the election effort.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from Democrats when he declared just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a personal email system. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, causing negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government claim the former director provided false information to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he provided false information to the Senate by stating he had not authorized a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to media organizations details about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to sway, obstruct and slow" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Via social media the former director shared to his Instagram after he was accused, he stated he was innocent and accused the former president of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have been aware for a long time that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he commented. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

These allegations against Mr Comey came after the former president shared on online platforms insisting on his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.