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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to US legislators and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

His lawyer entered the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would attempt to have the case terminated for several reasons including that his defendant, a critic of former President Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was formally accused shortly after Donald Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Mr Fitzgerald told the judge they aimed to present several petitions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, stating the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully appointed to take over the legal matter.

The former director's proceedings was first managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from Trump after his examination into a different rival - the New York official - failed to initiate prosecution.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his wife, Patrice Failor and child his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the court recite his rights and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the charges.

"I do your honour. Thank you very much," he told the court.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from four years and was terminated about a few months into the former president's first term as president. At the time, the director was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey caused a negative reaction from Democrats when he stated just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not filed, causing criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege Mr Comey lied to the legislature during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not authorized someone at the agency to release to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also allege Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and slow" the committee by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

In a video Mr Comey posted to his social media after he was charged, he declared he was innocent and alleged the former president of behaving like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to Mr Trump," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "So let's have a court case."

These allegations against James Comey came after Trump posted on online platforms calling for his attorney general, the attorney general, prosecute James Comey and other people.