🔗 Share this article

Ex- FBI chief James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to lawmakers and impeding a congressional proceeding.

The former director's attorney submitted the plea representing him in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the case thrown out for various reasons including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused shortly after Donald Trump pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald told the court they planned to present several legal requests to dismiss the case before a court case, stating the prosecution was spiteful and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully assigned to handle the proceedings.

James Comey's legal matter was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from Donald Trump after his examination into another political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the courtroom on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration terminated.

Following the reading to the judge read his legal protections and the dual charges against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was dismissed about four months into the former president's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the time, Mr Comey was directing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director sparked a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender the candidate's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey provided false information to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he deceived the Senate by claiming he had not permitted an individual at the agency to disclose to news outlets information about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also allege James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, obstruct and impede" the committee by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Via social media Mr Comey shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he said he was wrongly accused and alleged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"We have known for a long time that there are ramifications to challenging Donald Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Thus initiate a court case."

These allegations against James Comey surfaced after Trump shared on social media calling for his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and additional individuals.