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Former FBI head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and impeding a legislative process.

The former director's lawyer submitted the plea representing him in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

His attorney announced he would try to have the proceedings terminated for multiple causes including that his client, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was charged soon after the former president pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

In court on mid-week, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they planned to submit various legal requests to terminate the legal matter before a legal hearing, arguing the government's case was spiteful and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to take over the case.

The former director's proceedings was originally overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under influence from Donald Trump after his investigation into a different political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was inquired if he understood the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.

Background Context

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was terminated about four months into Donald Trump's first administration as national leader. At the moment, the director was overseeing an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a backlash from Democrats when he announced just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing political contender Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against Clinton were not pursued, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys allege James Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he deceived the legislative body by saying he had not approved an individual at the agency to release to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and slow" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

In a video the former director published to his social media after he was charged, he stated he was not guilty and alleged the former president of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have known for considerable time that there are ramifications to challenging Donald Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

These allegations against Mr Comey came after Trump published on online platforms calling for his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, charge Mr Comey and others.