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Ex- FBI director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

Mr Comey's legal representative entered the response acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would seek to have the case dismissed for various reasons including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted shortly after the former president urged his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the judge they intended to submit multiple motions to terminate the case before a legal hearing, stating the prosecution was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly designated to assume control of the proceedings.

James Comey's proceedings was first managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under influence from the former president after his probe into an additional political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was supported by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

After listening to the court read his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he comprehended the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the court.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was terminated about several months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the time, Mr Comey was leading an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey triggered a counter-response from liberal politicians when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was probing presidential nominee Clinton's use of a personal email system. Charges against Clinton were not pursued, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They say he misled the legislative body by stating he had not approved someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also allege James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, hinder and slow" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

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

"We have been aware for considerable time that there are consequences to challenging the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

The charges against the former director emerged after Trump posted on digital channels calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.