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Previous FBI chief James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

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

The defense lawyer stated he would seek to have the legal matter thrown out for multiple causes including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was charged just days after the former president urged his top legal official to proceed against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald advised the judge they aimed to submit several legal requests to throw out the legal matter before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly appointed to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's legal matter was initially managed by the original attorney, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into an additional political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the former government recently fired.

After listening to the judge state his rights and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, James Comey was asked if he understood the allegations.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the period, Mr Comey was directing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey triggered a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating presidential nominee Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Clinton were not pursued, resulting in disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government claim the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he misled the Senate by stating he had not authorized someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets data about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, hinder and impede" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording Mr Comey shared to his social media after he was charged, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"We have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our kneeling."

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

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after Donald Trump published on social media demanding his attorney general, Pam Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and other people.