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Previous FBI chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative entered the answer acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

The defense lawyer announced he would seek to have the case dismissed for various causes including that his defendant, a opponent of former President Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was charged just days after the former president pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they planned to present several legal requests to dismiss the case before a trial, arguing the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was wrongfully assigned to handle the legal matter.

Mr Comey's case was originally managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under scrutiny from Trump after his investigation into another opponent - the New York official - did not succeed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in positive mood as he walked into the court on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was joined by his wife, Mrs Failor and daughter Maureen, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

After listening to the magistrate read his rights and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the accusations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he stated to the judge.

Previous Events

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about four months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the period, he was directing an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, James Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys allege Mr Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he provided false information to the upper house by claiming he had not permitted an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are costs to opposing Donald Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

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

The charges against Mr Comey came after the former president posted on online platforms demanding his top legal official, Pam Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and other people.