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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's lawyer submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for various reasons including that his the accused, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after Donald Trump pressured his top legal official to take action against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to present several legal requests to terminate the legal matter before a court case, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was improperly appointed to take over the case.

The former director's case was originally overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under pressure from Donald Trump after his investigation into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in good spirits as he entered the court on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his partner, his wife and daughter his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, James Comey was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the judge.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from four years and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's first administration as national leader. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the election effort.

During his tenure, Mr Comey triggered a negative reaction from Democrats when he declared just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, resulting in negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors allege James Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not permitted an individual at the FBI to leak to journalistic entities details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also allege the defendant of "improperly attempting to affect, hinder and slow" the panel by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Via social media Mr Comey published to his social media after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and accused the former president of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have understood for a long time that there are consequences to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he added. "So let's have a trial."

The accusations against the former director emerged after Trump posted on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and other people.