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Previous Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has denied the charges to making false statements to US legislators and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's legal representative entered the answer representing him in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would seek to have the legal matter dismissed for multiple reasons including that his defendant, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was indicted soon after the former president pushed his top legal official to proceed against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on mid-week, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the court they aimed to submit various legal requests to dismiss the case before a trial, arguing the legal action was spiteful and that a government lawyer was wrongfully assigned to take over the case.

The former director's case was first handled by Erik Siebert, who resigned under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into an additional political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

The former director seemed in positive mood as he entered the court on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his partner, his wife and daughter his daughter, a government attorney who the former government dismissed.

Following the reading to the court read his legal protections and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, James Comey was questioned if he comprehended the accusations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the court.

Background Context

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was fired about four months into the former president's first term as president. At the moment, the director was leading an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a counter-response from Democrats when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, resulting in disapproval from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors assert James Comey provided false information to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by claiming he had not permitted an individual at the agency to disclose to journalistic entities data about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, block and slow" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

In a video James Comey published to his social media after he was indicted, he declared he was innocent and alleged Trump of behaving like a "tyrant".

"We have been aware for years that there are consequences to opposing Donald Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he added. "Thus initiate a court case."

These allegations against the former director came after Donald Trump posted on social media calling for his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and additional individuals.