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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to congressional representatives and impeding a legislative process.

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

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the case terminated for various reasons including that his client, a opponent of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

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

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they planned to present various motions to throw out the legal matter before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully designated to handle the legal matter.

Mr Comey's case was first overseen by the original attorney, who resigned under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into a different political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

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

Following the reading to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the allegations.

"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he told the proceedings.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about a few months into Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the period, the director was leading an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just days before the national vote that he was probing political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not filed, causing negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys assert James Comey provided false information to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They say he misled the legislative body by saying he had not approved a person at the FBI to disclose to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, obstruct and slow" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording James Comey published to his online platform after he was accused, he stated he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "So let's have a trial."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after the former president shared on online platforms calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.