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Previous FBI chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a legislative process.

His lawyer submitted the plea representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer stated he would try to have the legal matter dismissed for several factors including that his client, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

Mr Comey was formally accused just days after Donald Trump pushed his top legal official to take action against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the court they planned to file multiple legal requests to throw out the case before a trial, claiming the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was improperly appointed to take over the case.

Mr Comey's legal matter was first handled by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his investigation into another rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

James Comey appeared in positive mood as he came into the court on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was accompanied by his partner, his wife and child Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration terminated.

Upon hearing to the judge state his legal protections and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he understood the charges.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he told the court.

Historical Information

James Comey was the FBI Director from four years and was terminated about a few months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, the director was directing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the election effort.

During his tenure, James Comey sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Charges against the candidate were not filed, leading to disapproval from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

The federal government assert the former director lied to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being examined about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They say he deceived the Senate by saying he had not authorized a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to media organizations information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also allege the defendant of "improperly attempting to sway, obstruct and impede" the panel by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording the former director published to his Instagram after he was charged, he declared he was not guilty and accused Donald Trump of behaving like a "autocrat".

"Our household have been aware for years that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he said. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after Donald Trump shared on social media demanding his attorney general, Pam Bondi, prosecute the former director and additional individuals.