🔗 Share this article

Former FBI director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

His lawyer filed the plea acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald stated he would attempt to have the proceedings thrown out for multiple factors including that his client, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was charged just days after Donald Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the court they aimed to present multiple petitions to dismiss the legal matter before a trial, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to assume control of the case.

James Comey's legal matter was initially handled by the original attorney, who stepped down under pressure from the former president after his examination into an additional opponent - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was accompanied by his partner, Mrs Failor and child Maureen, a US lawyer who the previous administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the charges.

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

Background Context

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was leading an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey triggered a backlash from liberal politicians when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Clinton were never brought, leading to negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys claim James Comey gave untrue statements 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 Russia election probe. They say he deceived the Senate by saying he had not authorized an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, hinder and slow" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media James Comey shared to his social media after he was accused, he said he was not guilty and charged the former president of acting like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have known for years that there are consequences to challenging Mr Trump," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The charges against the former director emerged after Trump shared on digital channels insisting on his top legal official, Ms Bondi, charge Mr Comey and other people.