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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

The former director's attorney entered the answer acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the proceedings terminated for various causes including that his defendant, a detractor of former President Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was formally accused shortly after the former president pressured his top legal official to move forward against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald informed the judge they intended to submit several petitions to terminate the proceedings before a trial, arguing the legal action was vindictive and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to take over the proceedings.

James Comey's legal matter was first managed by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into a different opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and offspring his daughter, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his legal protections and the two counts against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he comprehended the charges.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was terminated about four months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as national leader. At the time, Mr Comey was leading an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director triggered a counter-response from Democrats when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was examining presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing criticism from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey lied to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not authorized someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to journalistic entities details about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, obstruct and delay" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording the former director posted to his social media after he was charged, he stated he was wrongly accused and charged the former president of acting like a "dictator".

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

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "So let's have a court case."

The accusations against James Comey emerged after Trump posted on social media demanding his attorney general, Ms Bondi, prosecute the former director and others.