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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and obstructing a legislative process.

His lawyer submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would try to have the legal matter thrown out for several causes including that his client, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was indicted shortly after Trump urged his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Court Developments

In court on mid-week, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the court they aimed to present multiple petitions to throw out the proceedings before a court case, claiming the legal action was retaliatory and that a US attorney was improperly designated to handle the legal matter.

The former director's case was first handled by the original attorney, who left his position under pressure from the former president after his probe into another political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and making jokes. He was supported by his spouse, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his rights and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he grasped the allegations.

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

Previous Events

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about a few months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the time, Mr Comey was overseeing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director caused a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert James Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the upper house by saying he had not authorized an individual at the agency to disclose to journalistic entities information about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also allege the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, obstruct and slow" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was charged, he said he was innocent and accused Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"We have been aware for considerable time that there are consequences to challenging the former president," he said. "We refuse to live on our knees."

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

These allegations against Mr Comey came after Donald Trump shared on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and other people.