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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's attorney submitted the answer on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would seek to have the case thrown out for several causes including that his client, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

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

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative advised the judge they planned to present various petitions to dismiss the legal matter before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully appointed to handle the legal matter.

The former director's legal matter was initially overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his probe into an additional political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was joined by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.

Following the reading to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he informed the court.

Previous Events

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as president. At the period, he was directing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, James Comey sparked a backlash from Democrats when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a personal email system. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They say he misled the Senate by claiming he had not approved an individual at the agency to leak to media organizations data about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, hinder and impede" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

In a video the former director published to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"We have been aware for years that there are consequences to challenging the former president," he said. "We refuse to live on our knees."

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

The charges against the former director emerged after Trump shared on digital channels demanding his attorney general, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and additional individuals.