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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation director James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.

The former director's lawyer filed the answer on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney stated he would attempt to have the proceedings dismissed for various reasons including that his client, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was formally accused just days after the former president pushed his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the court they planned to submit various petitions to terminate the legal matter before a legal hearing, arguing the government's case was vindictive and that a US attorney was improperly appointed to take over the case.

James Comey's proceedings was first managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under pressure from Donald Trump after his investigation into a different opponent - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey came across in positive mood as he came into the court on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and child his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration terminated.

Following the reading to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the accusations.

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

Previous Events

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about several months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was directing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Clinton were not pursued, leading to negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors allege the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They say he misled the legislative body by stating he had not authorized someone at the FBI to leak to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, obstruct and slow" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Via social media James Comey posted to his Instagram after he was charged, he stated he was innocent and charged the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

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

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

The accusations against the former director came after Donald Trump shared on social media insisting on his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against James Comey and other people.