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Former FBI chief James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His lawyer submitted the answer representing him in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for various factors including that his defendant, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was formally accused soon after Donald Trump urged his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on mid-week, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald told the court they aimed to submit several legal requests to throw out the legal matter before a trial, claiming the prosecution was vindictive and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to assume control of the proceedings.

James Comey's proceedings was initially overseen by the original attorney, who resigned under influence from Trump after his investigation into a different political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

The former director came across in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the court on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and sharing humor. He was joined by his wife, his wife and child Maureen, a government attorney who the former government dismissed.

Upon hearing to the court read his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he told the proceedings.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was terminated about several months into Donald Trump's first term as national leader. At the moment, the director was directing an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and the election effort.

While in office, the director sparked a counter-response from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing disapproval from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

The federal government assert the former director provided false information to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he deceived the Senate by saying he had not permitted an individual at the FBI to release to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, block and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Via social media James Comey shared to his social media after he was charged, he said he was not guilty and charged Trump of behaving like a "autocrat".

"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he commented. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I'm innocent," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after the former president published on social media calling for his attorney general, the attorney general, prosecute James Comey and others.