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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

His lawyer entered the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer declared he would seek to have the case dismissed for various causes including that his defendant, a opponent of former President Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused soon after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald informed the court they intended to file various motions to dismiss the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was improperly assigned to assume control of the case.

The former director's legal matter was originally handled by the original attorney, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his investigation into an additional opponent - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his attorneys and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration dismissed.

Upon hearing to the judge state his rights and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, James Comey was asked if he grasped the charges.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was terminated about four months into Donald Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, the director was leading an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the election effort.

While in office, the director caused a counter-response from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was investigating political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing disapproval from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys claim the former director gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he misled the legislative body by stating he had not permitted someone at the agency to leak to media organizations data about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also allege the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and slow" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording the former director published to his Instagram after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and accused Donald Trump of behaving like a "autocrat".

"We have been aware for years that there are ramifications to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Thus initiate a trial."

The accusations against the former director surfaced after the former president published on digital channels demanding his top legal official, Pam Bondi, prosecute the former director and others.