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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer submitted the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for several causes including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was indicted shortly after Donald Trump pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on mid-week, the defense counsel the legal representative told the judge they aimed to submit several petitions to dismiss the legal matter before a trial, stating the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was improperly appointed to handle the legal matter.

The former director's proceedings was first handled by the original attorney, who resigned under pressure from Trump after his examination into another rival - the New York official - failed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his partner, his wife and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the former government terminated.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his rights and the two counts against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was questioned if he grasped the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the court.

Background Context

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was terminated about four months into Trump's first term as national leader. At the moment, he was overseeing an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a backlash from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the 2016 election that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Clinton were not filed, leading to negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege the former director provided false information to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not approved someone at the agency to release to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

In a video the former director published to his online platform after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and alleged Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

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

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

These allegations against the former director came after the former president posted on online platforms demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and additional individuals.