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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's lawyer filed the answer representing him in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the case terminated for various reasons including that his the accused, a opponent of former President Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was formally accused soon after Donald Trump urged his attorney general to take action against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on mid-week, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald informed the judge they aimed to present various motions to throw out the proceedings before a court case, claiming the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was wrongfully appointed to assume control of the legal matter.

Mr Comey's case was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on Wednesday, speaking with his legal team and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and daughter his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

After listening to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was questioned if he understood the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you," he informed the proceedings.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the period, Mr Comey was leading an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and the election effort.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a backlash from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing disapproval from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he deceived the upper house by saying he had not approved a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to journalistic entities data about the government examinations.

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

Individual Responses

In a video the former director posted to his online platform after he was indicted, he said he was not guilty and alleged Donald Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"Our household have been aware for years that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he said. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The accusations against the former director came after Trump shared on social media calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and additional individuals.