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Former FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

His attorney filed the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for several factors including that his defendant, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was charged shortly after the former president pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald advised the court they planned to file multiple legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a court case, arguing the government's case was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to handle the proceedings.

The former director's case was first managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into a different rival - the New York official - failed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the court on mid-week, speaking with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was supported by his wife, his wife and offspring Maureen, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.

After listening to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he understood the charges.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the court.

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was fired about several months into Trump's initial presidency as president. At the moment, he was directing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and the election effort.

While in office, Mr Comey triggered a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was probing Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Clinton were not filed, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he misled the upper house by saying he had not permitted a person at the FBI to release to journalistic entities details about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and impede" the committee by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

In a video James Comey shared to his online platform after he was charged, he said he was innocent and alleged Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have been aware for a long time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

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

The charges against James Comey came after Donald Trump published on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, the attorney general, charge Mr Comey and others.