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Ex- FBI head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.

The former director's attorney entered the response on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would try to have the proceedings terminated for multiple factors including that his client, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after Trump pushed his attorney general to take action against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they aimed to file multiple motions to throw out the legal matter before a court case, claiming the government's case was vindictive and that a US attorney was improperly appointed to handle the case.

Mr Comey's case was initially overseen by the original attorney, who stepped down under pressure from Trump after his examination into another opponent - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

James Comey came across in good spirits as he walked into the court on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and making jokes. He was supported by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child his daughter, a US lawyer who the previous administration dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate state his rights and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the allegations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he told the proceedings.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was fired about four months into Trump's first term as president. At the period, he was overseeing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

While in office, James Comey triggered a backlash from liberal politicians when he announced just days before the national vote that he was probing political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against the candidate were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not approved an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations information about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, obstruct and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording Mr Comey shared to his Instagram after he was indicted, he said he was wrongly accused and alleged Donald Trump of acting like a "dictator".

"Our household have understood for years that there are costs to challenging the former president," he commented. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against the former director came after the former president published on digital channels calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and other people.