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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.

His attorney filed the plea on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney stated he would try to have the proceedings thrown out for multiple factors including that his defendant, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was charged shortly after Donald Trump pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on mid-week, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they intended to file multiple legal requests to throw out the proceedings before a trial, stating the legal action was vindictive and that a government lawyer was unlawfully designated to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's proceedings was initially overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under influence from Donald Trump after his examination into an additional political adversary - the New York official - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey came across in positive mood as he walked into the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the judge recite his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he grasped the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he told the proceedings.

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was terminated about several months into Trump's first term as president. At the time, Mr Comey was leading an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, the director caused a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he announced just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were never brought, causing disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey provided false information to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the legislative body by saying he had not approved a person at the agency to release to media organizations details about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also allege Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and slow" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

In a video Mr Comey posted to his social media after he was indicted, he stated he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are ramifications to standing up to the former president," he stated. "We will not live on our bended knee."

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

The accusations against Mr Comey came after the former president shared on social media insisting on his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and other people.