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Former FBI chief James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's legal representative entered the answer on his behalf in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would try to have the legal matter thrown out for various factors including that his the accused, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after Donald Trump urged his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, his attorney the legal representative advised the judge they planned to present various motions to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the legal action was vindictive and that a government lawyer was wrongfully appointed to handle the case.

James Comey's case was initially overseen by the original attorney, who stepped down under influence from Donald Trump after his examination into an additional opponent - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

James Comey came across in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and making jokes. He was supported by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen, a government attorney who the former government dismissed.

Upon hearing to the judge state his legal protections and the two counts against him in court on mid-week, James Comey was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

"I do your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the judge.

Historical Information

Mr Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as national leader. At the time, the director was overseeing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any relationships between Russia and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey triggered a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the 2016 election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against the candidate were not pursued, leading to criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim Mr Comey lied to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They allege he misled the upper house by claiming he had not authorized a person at the agency to leak to media organizations details about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also allege the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and delay" the committee by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Via social media Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he said he was innocent and charged the former president of behaving like a "autocrat".

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

"I am not guilty," he continued. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

These allegations against James Comey came after the former president shared on social media calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and other people.