🔗 Share this article

Previous FBI director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's lawyer entered the plea acting as his counsel in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple factors including that his the accused, a opponent of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was indicted shortly after the former president pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they planned to submit several legal requests to terminate the case before a court case, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was wrongfully designated to handle the proceedings.

Mr Comey's proceedings was first handled by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his probe into a different rival - the New York official - failed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey seemed in good spirits as he came into the court on Wednesday, chatting with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his partner, Patrice Failor and child his daughter, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the magistrate state his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he told the proceedings.

Historical Information

James Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Trump's first administration as president. At the period, Mr Comey was leading an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Russia and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, the director triggered a counter-response from liberal politicians when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were never brought, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors assert James Comey lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They claim he deceived the upper house by stating he had not authorized an individual at the agency to release to news outlets data about the government examinations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to sway, obstruct and delay" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording the former director published to his online platform after he was charged, he stated he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he said. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

The charges against the former director came after Donald Trump posted on social media calling for his attorney general, the attorney general, prosecute James Comey and others.