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Former FBI chief James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

Mr Comey's legal representative filed the response on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the proceedings thrown out for various causes including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was indicted shortly after Donald Trump pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald told the court they aimed to file several legal requests to terminate the legal matter before a court case, claiming the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was unlawfully assigned to assume control of the legal matter.

The former director's case was originally handled by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under scrutiny from the former president after his examination into an additional rival - NY AG Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

James Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his spouse, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.

After listening to the court read his legal protections and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the charges.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the period, he was overseeing an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, the director triggered a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against the candidate were not pursued, causing negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert the former director lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he provided false information to the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted an individual at the agency to disclose to media organizations details about the government examinations.

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

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and accused Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"My family and I have known for years that there are ramifications to opposing Donald Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Thus initiate a court case."

The accusations against James Comey surfaced after Trump shared on social media insisting on his top legal official, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and other people.