🔗 Share this article

Ex- FBI head James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's legal representative submitted the answer acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would try to have the legal matter thrown out for several reasons including that his the accused, a critic of former President Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted just days after Trump urged his top legal official to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative informed the court they aimed to present several petitions to dismiss the proceedings before a trial, stating the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to assume control of the case.

Mr Comey's proceedings was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

James Comey appeared in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his attorneys and making jokes. He was accompanied by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration recently fired.

After listening to the judge read his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, the defendant was inquired if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the court.

Previous Events

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about four months into the former president's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the period, the director was overseeing an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Russia and the election effort.

While in office, the director caused a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was examining presidential nominee Clinton's use of a personal email system. Indictments against the candidate were never brought, resulting in negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

The federal government claim James Comey lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he deceived the Senate by claiming he had not authorized someone at the FBI to disclose to media organizations details about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also allege James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, block and delay" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media Mr Comey shared to his social media after he was accused, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he stated. "We will not live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after Donald Trump posted on online platforms calling for his attorney general, the attorney general, prosecute the former director and other people.