🔗 Share this article

Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has denied the charges to providing misleading information to US legislators and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's attorney submitted the response representing him in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would attempt to have the case terminated for multiple causes including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president pressured his attorney general to take action against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative advised the court they planned to file several legal requests to throw out the case before a trial, stating the legal action was vindictive and that a US attorney was improperly designated to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's proceedings was originally managed by the original attorney, who resigned under influence from Trump after his probe into another rival - the New York official - was unable to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey came across in good spirits as he entered the legal venue on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was supported by his partner, his wife and child Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.

After listening to the magistrate read his rights and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he understood the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the proceedings.

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about a few months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the period, the director was directing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Russia and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director caused a backlash from the Democratic party when he announced just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was investigating presidential nominee Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Clinton were not pursued, causing negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys allege Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not permitted an individual at the FBI to release to journalistic entities data about the agency probes.

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

Individual Responses

Through a recording the former director posted to his Instagram after he was charged, he said he was innocent and charged the former president of behaving like a "dictator".

"My family and I have understood for years that there are costs to opposing the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he added. "So let's have a court case."

These allegations against Mr Comey came after Trump posted on online platforms demanding his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, charge the former director and others.