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Previous FBI head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative submitted the plea on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple reasons including that his the accused, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was indicted soon after the former president pressured his attorney general to take action against him.

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative advised the magistrate they intended to submit various legal requests to terminate the case before a court case, stating the government's case was vindictive and that a government lawyer was wrongfully appointed to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's legal matter was first handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under influence from the former president after his probe into a different political adversary - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he came into the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was supported by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.

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

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the proceedings.

Background Context

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about four months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the period, he was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a backlash from liberal politicians when he stated just days before the national vote that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They say he provided false information to the legislative body by saying he had not approved someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to journalistic entities information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also allege James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

In a video the former director published to his social media after he was charged, he said he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are costs to opposing the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our knees."

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

The charges against James Comey surfaced after Trump shared on social media calling for his attorney general, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and additional individuals.