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Former FBI chief James Comey has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to congressional representatives and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

His legal representative submitted the response representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for various causes including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

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

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald advised the court they planned to submit various petitions to throw out the case before a court case, arguing the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully assigned to assume control of the case.

The former director's case was initially overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under influence from the former president after his examination into an additional political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

James Comey appeared in positive mood as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was supported by his partner, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the former government dismissed.

Following the reading to the magistrate read his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was questioned if he understood the allegations.

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

Background Context

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the time, Mr Comey was directing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and the election effort.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was investigating political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing disapproval from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert the former director lied to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to journalistic entities details about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, hinder and slow" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording the former director published to his online platform after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and accused Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are costs to opposing Donald Trump," he stated. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The charges against James Comey surfaced after Trump shared on digital channels demanding his top legal official, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and additional individuals.