🔗 Share this article

Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.

His legal representative submitted the response acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the case terminated for various causes including that his the accused, a opponent of former President Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, his attorney the legal representative advised the court they intended to submit various petitions to throw out the proceedings before a trial, claiming the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to handle the legal matter.

The former director's proceedings was initially managed by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from the former president after his investigation into a different opponent - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

The former director seemed in good spirits as he entered the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his wife, his wife and child Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the judge state his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in the courtroom on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he comprehended the charges.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about several months into Donald Trump's first term as national leader. At the period, the director was leading an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the election effort.

While in office, James Comey triggered a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was examining presidential nominee Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, resulting in disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert Mr Comey lied to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he misled the Senate by saying he had not permitted an individual at the agency to leak to news outlets details about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also charge the defendant of "improperly attempting to sway, block and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

In a video Mr Comey published to his online platform after he was charged, he declared he was not guilty and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"We have known for considerable time that there are consequences to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The charges against James Comey surfaced after the former president posted on online platforms insisting on his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and other people.