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Ex- FBI director James the former director has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

The former director's lawyer filed the plea acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer declared he would attempt to have the case dismissed for several factors including that his client, a critic of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was charged just days after the former president pressured his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative informed the judge they intended to present several petitions to terminate the case before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was vindictive and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to take over the case.

James Comey's legal matter was originally handled by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into a different rival - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his wife, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, James Comey was asked if he comprehended the allegations.

"I do your honour. Thank you very much," he told the proceedings.

Previous Events

James Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was fired about a few months into Donald Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the period, he was directing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was probing political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were never brought, leading to disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government claim Mr Comey lied to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he deceived the legislative body by saying he had not permitted a person at the agency to leak to journalistic entities details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, obstruct and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media the former director published to his Instagram after he was accused, he stated he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of acting like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are ramifications to opposing Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

These allegations against the former director emerged after Donald Trump posted on social media insisting on his top legal official, Pam Bondi, prosecute James Comey and additional individuals.