🔗 Share this article

Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has denied the charges to providing misleading information to US legislators and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's legal representative entered the answer on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the legal matter thrown out for several factors including that his defendant, a opponent of former President Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was charged shortly after Donald Trump urged his top legal official to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald advised the judge they planned to present several petitions to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, arguing the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to take over the proceedings.

James Comey's case was originally handled by Erik Siebert, who left his position under pressure from Donald Trump after his examination into another opponent - the New York official - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

The former director came across in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was accompanied by his wife, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the court recite his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, the defendant was asked if he comprehended the accusations.

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

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into the former president's initial presidency as national leader. At the period, the director was leading an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, the director sparked a backlash from Democrats when he stated just days before the national vote that he was examining Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors assert James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not authorized someone at the FBI to release to news outlets data about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, block and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media James Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was innocent and accused Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"Our household have been aware for considerable time that there are ramifications to opposing Mr Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

These allegations against Mr Comey came after the former president shared on online platforms calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and others.