🔗 Share this article

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His lawyer entered the response acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the case dismissed for multiple factors including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was charged shortly after Donald Trump urged his top legal official to proceed against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on mid-week, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald informed the court they planned to file multiple petitions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was improperly designated to handle the proceedings.

The former director's case was initially managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into a different rival - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in good spirits as he walked into the legal venue on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the Trump administration terminated.

Following the reading to the magistrate recite his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

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

Background Context

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about several months into the former president's first administration as president. At the time, the director was leading an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey caused a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he announced just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Clinton were not filed, causing criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors assert the former director lied to Congress during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the Senate by stating he had not permitted someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also allege Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and slow" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording Mr Comey published to his social media after he was indicted, he said he was innocent and alleged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"Our household have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to challenging Mr Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our knees."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "Thus initiate a court case."

These allegations against the former director emerged after the former president published on online platforms calling for his attorney general, Pam Bondi, charge the former director and other people.