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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to US legislators and hindering a congressional proceeding.

The former director's lawyer entered the response on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would attempt to have the proceedings thrown out for various causes including that his defendant, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged shortly after the former president pushed his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they intended to submit multiple legal requests to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully appointed to handle the legal matter.

The former director's legal matter was initially managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under pressure from the former president after his investigation into a different opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

James Comey came across in good spirits as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his attorneys and making jokes. He was accompanied by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen Comey, a US lawyer who the previous administration dismissed.

Upon hearing to the judge state his legal protections and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the charges.

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

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about four months into the former president's first term as national leader. At the moment, he was leading an investigation into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a backlash from Democrats when he declared just days before the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, leading to negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors allege the former director gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he provided false information to the legislative body by saying he had not authorized a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations data about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to affect, obstruct and impede" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

In a video Mr Comey posted to his online platform after he was indicted, he said he was innocent and alleged the former president of conducting himself like a "dictator".

"My family and I have been aware for a long time that there are ramifications to opposing Donald Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

The charges against Mr Comey surfaced after Donald Trump posted on online platforms insisting on his attorney general, Pam Bondi, charge Mr Comey and additional individuals.