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Former FBI chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

His lawyer entered the response representing him in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would try to have the case thrown out for several causes including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was charged just days after the former president pushed his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative advised the magistrate they planned to submit several legal requests to terminate the case before a court case, claiming the legal action was vindictive and that a US attorney was unlawfully designated to assume control of the case.

Mr Comey's legal matter was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his examination into another opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he walked into the legal venue on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

Following the reading to the court read his legal protections and the dual charges against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the allegations.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's first term as president. At the period, Mr Comey was leading an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

While in office, James Comey triggered a backlash from the Democratic party when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Clinton were never brought, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government allege Mr Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They say he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not authorized a person at the FBI to release to media organizations information about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also accuse Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, obstruct and delay" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

In a video James Comey published to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was innocent and alleged the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to Mr Trump," he said. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Thus initiate a court case."

The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after the former president shared on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.