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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and obstructing a legislative process.

The former director's attorney filed the answer representing him in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would attempt to have the case dismissed for multiple factors including that his the accused, a critic of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was formally accused soon after Trump pushed his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald informed the judge they planned to submit several legal requests to throw out the case before a court case, stating the government's case was spiteful and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was first handled by Erik Siebert, who left his position under pressure from Donald Trump after his examination into another rival - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the court on Wednesday, speaking with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the former government terminated.

Following the reading to the court read his legal protections and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

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

Previous Events

James Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was dismissed about several months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the moment, the director was leading an probe into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, James Comey caused a counter-response from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was probing political contender the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government allege the former director lied to the legislature during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They say he misled the legislative body by claiming he had not approved an individual at the FBI to leak to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "wrongfully trying to sway, block and delay" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

Via social media the former director posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was innocent and charged the former president of behaving like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to challenging the former president," he stated. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

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

The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after the former president published on social media calling for his attorney general, Ms Bondi, charge James Comey and other people.