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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

The former director's lawyer filed the response on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney announced he would attempt to have the legal matter thrown out for various reasons including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was charged soon after the former president urged his top legal official to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to present various petitions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, claiming the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to assume control of the case.

Mr Comey's legal matter was originally overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under pressure from Trump after his investigation into an additional rival - NY AG Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was supported by his wife, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate state his legal protections and the two counts against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he grasped the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the court.

Background Context

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's first administration as national leader. At the period, he was overseeing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the election effort.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, resulting in criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors claim James Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not approved someone at the agency to disclose to news outlets data about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, hinder and slow" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

In a video the former director shared to his online platform after he was charged, he stated he was innocent and charged Donald Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"My family and I have understood for a long time that there are ramifications to standing up to Mr Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The accusations against the former director emerged after Trump published on online platforms insisting on his top legal official, Pam Bondi, charge the former director and other people.