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Ex- FBI director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative filed the plea on his behalf in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the case thrown out for various causes including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was formally accused shortly after Donald Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on mid-week, the defense counsel the legal representative informed the judge they planned to submit various petitions to dismiss the proceedings before a court case, arguing the legal action was vindictive and that a US attorney was improperly appointed to handle the case.

James Comey's legal matter was originally handled by the original attorney, who resigned under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into another rival - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he came into the court on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the magistrate state his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he comprehended the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you," he told the judge.

Background Context

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was directing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, the director caused a negative reaction from Democrats when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were not pursued, causing disapproval from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

The federal government claim James Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional 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 Senate by saying he had not permitted an individual at the agency to disclose to news outlets details about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, hinder and slow" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

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

"Our household have known for a long time that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," he said. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I'm innocent," he continued. "Thus initiate a trial."

The accusations against Mr Comey surfaced after Donald Trump published on online platforms insisting on his attorney general, the attorney general, charge Mr Comey and additional individuals.