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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to making false statements to congressional representatives and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's lawyer filed the response acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for various factors including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was indicted shortly after Donald Trump urged his top legal official to take action against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they planned to file multiple legal requests to throw out the case before a trial, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was improperly designated to take over the proceedings.

The former director's proceedings was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from the former president after his probe into an additional political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the legal venue on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his spouse, Mrs Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he understood the accusations.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about four months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as president. At the period, the director was overseeing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from Democrats when he declared just shortly prior to the national vote that he was investigating Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing disapproval from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

The federal government claim the former director lied to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he deceived the Senate by claiming he had not approved a person at the FBI to disclose to journalistic entities information about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, block and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

In a video the former director published to his Instagram after he was accused, he said he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have understood for a long time that there are costs to standing up to Mr Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

These allegations against the former director surfaced after the former president posted on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, Ms Bondi, charge Mr Comey and additional individuals.