🔗 Share this article

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has denied the charges to making false statements to US legislators and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

The former director's attorney submitted the response representing him in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the legal matter dismissed for various reasons including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was formally accused soon after Trump urged his top legal official to take action against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative advised the court they aimed to present various legal requests to dismiss the proceedings before a legal hearing, arguing the legal action was retaliatory and that a government lawyer was improperly assigned to take over the case.

James Comey's legal matter was originally overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his probe into another opponent - the New York official - did not succeed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in positive mood as he walked into the legal venue on mid-week, conversing with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was joined by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration dismissed.

After listening to the court read his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the proceedings.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from four years and was fired about a few months into Trump's initial presidency as commander-in-chief. At the moment, he was overseeing an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey triggered a backlash from the Democratic party when he stated just shortly prior to the national vote that he was investigating Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against the candidate were never brought, causing criticism from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys allege Mr Comey lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They say he provided false information to the Senate by claiming he had not permitted a person at the agency to release to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also allege James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, block and impede" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording the former director posted to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was wrongly accused and alleged Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"My family and I have known for years that there are consequences to challenging Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

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

These allegations against the former director surfaced after Trump posted on social media demanding his top legal official, Pam Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and other people.