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Former FBI director James the ex-FBI chief has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to lawmakers and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's attorney filed the response acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would try to have the proceedings thrown out for several factors including that his defendant, a critic of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was charged just days after the former president pushed his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they intended to file multiple petitions to terminate the legal matter before a trial, arguing the government's case was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully appointed to assume control of the proceedings.

The former director's legal matter was initially handled by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under scrutiny from the former president after his examination into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to file indictments.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was accompanied by his wife, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.

After listening to the judge read his rights and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the court.

Background Context

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about four months into Trump's first administration as president. At the time, he was directing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the election effort.

During his tenure, James Comey sparked a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the national vote that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

The federal government claim Mr Comey lied to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he misled the Senate by saying he had not permitted someone at the agency to release to news outlets data about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege the defendant of "improperly attempting to affect, block and slow" the committee by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Via social media James Comey shared to his social media after he was charged, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged Donald Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

"Our household have known for a long time that there are consequences to standing up to the former president," he said. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The charges against James Comey came after the former president published on social media calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, charge the former director and additional individuals.