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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His attorney submitted the response representing him in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would try to have the legal matter terminated for multiple reasons including that his defendant, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they planned to present multiple petitions to throw out the legal matter before a court case, stating the legal action was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly designated to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's legal matter was initially handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional political adversary - the New York official - failed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director appeared in positive mood as he walked into the court on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was joined by his spouse, Patrice Failor and offspring his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the magistrate recite his legal protections and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he understood the charges.

"I do your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the judge.

Background Context

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about four months into Donald Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, he was leading an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was investigating presidential nominee Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were never brought, causing disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey lied to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not approved someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also allege the defendant of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and slow" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording the former director published to his social media after he was charged, he declared he was not guilty and accused Donald Trump of acting like a "dictator".

"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

The charges against Mr Comey came after the former president posted on social media insisting on his attorney general, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and additional individuals.