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Ex- FBI chief James Comey has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and hindering a legislative process.

His legal representative filed the plea on his behalf in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer declared he would attempt to have the proceedings dismissed for several reasons including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was formally accused just days after the former president pushed his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on mid-week, his attorney the legal representative advised the magistrate they intended to present multiple petitions to terminate the legal matter before a court case, stating the government's case was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was improperly appointed to assume control of the case.

The former director's legal matter was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under scrutiny from Trump after his probe into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

The former director seemed in good spirits as he entered the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the court read his legal protections and the dual charges against him in court on Wednesday, James Comey was inquired if he comprehended the accusations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he told the court.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as national leader. At the time, the director was leading an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey caused a backlash from Democrats when he stated just immediately preceding the national vote that he was investigating political contender the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Clinton were not pursued, leading to disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the upper house by stating he had not permitted someone at the agency to release to news outlets details about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also charge James Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, block and impede" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media the former director published to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged Donald Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

"Our household have been aware for years that there are ramifications to challenging Mr Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he added. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

The accusations against James Comey came after Donald Trump shared on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, Pam Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and other people.