🔗 Share this article

Previous FBI director James the former director has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

The former director's legal representative entered the response representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald announced he would try to have the legal matter terminated for several causes including that his defendant, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his attorney general to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on mid-week, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they intended to present various petitions to throw out the case before a trial, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was improperly appointed to handle the proceedings.

Mr Comey's legal matter was originally handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under pressure from Trump after his investigation into another opponent - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he walked into the court on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was supported by his partner, Mrs Failor and child Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the magistrate state his rights and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he comprehended the charges.

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

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about four months into Trump's first administration as national leader. At the time, the director was leading an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, the director triggered a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he declared just shortly prior to the national vote that he was investigating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, leading to negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

The federal government assert Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he deceived the Senate by claiming he had not approved an individual at the agency to disclose to journalistic entities data about the government examinations.

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

Individual Responses

In a video the former director posted to his Instagram after he was charged, he said he was wrongly accused and alleged the former president of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "So let's have a trial."

These allegations against the former director emerged after Trump shared on online platforms demanding his chief prosecutor, Ms Bondi, charge Mr Comey and additional individuals.