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Previous FBI chief James the former director has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's attorney entered the answer on his behalf in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would try to have the proceedings thrown out for multiple causes including that his defendant, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was indicted soon after the former president pushed his top legal official to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative advised the court they planned to present multiple motions to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was vindictive and that a government lawyer was improperly appointed to assume control of the legal matter.

Mr Comey's case was originally handled by the original attorney, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into another rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his wife, his wife and offspring Maureen, a government attorney who the Trump administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the allegations.

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

Historical Information

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the time, the director was directing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director triggered a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he declared just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against the candidate were not filed, resulting in criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey provided false information to Congress during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he misled the upper house by claiming he had not permitted a person at the agency to release to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, hinder and delay" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording Mr Comey published to his Instagram after he was accused, he declared he was innocent and charged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are costs to challenging Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

The charges against James Comey emerged after Trump posted on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and additional individuals.