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Previous FBI chief James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to US legislators and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

The former director's attorney entered the response on his behalf in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer declared he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for several factors including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was formally accused soon after Donald Trump pressured his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative advised the court they planned to present various petitions to terminate the proceedings before a court case, claiming the prosecution was spiteful and that a US attorney was improperly assigned to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's proceedings was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from Trump after his investigation into an additional rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

The former director came across in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, speaking with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was joined by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration dismissed.

Upon hearing to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was asked if he comprehended the charges.

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

Historical Information

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the moment, Mr Comey was overseeing an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, James Comey triggered a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating presidential nominee the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, leading to negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert the former director provided false information to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They say he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not authorized a person at the agency to leak to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, obstruct and slow" the panel by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media James Comey published to his social media after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have known for considerable time that there are consequences to standing up to Mr Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our knees."

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

The charges against James Comey came after Donald Trump shared on social media demanding his top legal official, Pam Bondi, prosecute the former director and additional individuals.