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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His attorney submitted the response representing him in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would seek to have the legal matter dismissed for several causes including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused shortly after the former president pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they intended to file several motions to throw out the proceedings before a trial, stating the government's case was vindictive and that a US attorney was improperly designated to take over the case.

The former director's case was first managed by the original attorney, who resigned under pressure from the former president after his probe into an additional opponent - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his partner, Patrice Failor and child his daughter, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he comprehended the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the judge.

Historical Information

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the period, Mr Comey was directing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the election effort.

During his tenure, James Comey caused a backlash from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, leading to criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege James Comey lied to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he misled the legislative body by stating he had not permitted an individual at the FBI to leak to media organizations details about the FBI investigations.

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

Public Statements

In a video Mr Comey published to his social media after he was charged, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged the former president of acting like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

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

These allegations against James Comey came after Trump shared on online platforms calling for his attorney general, Pam Bondi, charge Mr Comey and additional individuals.