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Previous FBI chief James Comey has denied the charges to making false statements to US legislators and impeding a legislative process.

Mr Comey's lawyer submitted the plea on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

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

James Comey was charged soon after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to proceed against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they intended to file various motions to terminate the proceedings before a trial, claiming the prosecution was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was improperly assigned to handle the case.

James Comey's legal matter was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who left his position under pressure from the former president after his examination into another political adversary - the New York official - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey appeared in positive mood as he entered the court on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his wife, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.

Upon hearing to the court state his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Comey was asked if he understood the charges.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he told the judge.

Previous Events

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was fired about several months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the period, he was directing an investigation into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the election effort.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from Democrats when he declared just shortly prior to the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were never brought, causing criticism from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors allege the former director gave untrue statements to the legislature during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the Senate by saying he had not permitted an individual at the agency to release to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, hinder and impede" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording the former director shared to his social media after he was indicted, he said he was wrongly accused and alleged Donald Trump of behaving like a "tyrant".

"Our household have been aware for years that there are costs to opposing Donald Trump," he commented. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he stated further. "So let's have a trial."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after Trump published on online platforms insisting on his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and other people.