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Former FBI director James the former director has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and hindering a congressional proceeding.

His lawyer filed the response acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer announced he would seek to have the legal matter thrown out for multiple reasons including that his defendant, a opponent of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was indicted soon after the former president urged his top legal official to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative informed the judge they planned to present various legal requests to dismiss the case before a trial, stating the government's case was retaliatory and that a US attorney was improperly assigned to handle the proceedings.

Mr Comey's case was initially handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into an additional political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

The former director appeared in positive mood as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.

Upon hearing to the court recite his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, the defendant was inquired if he understood the allegations.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was fired about a few months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the period, he was overseeing an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the election effort.

Throughout his leadership, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from Democrats when he stated just days before the national vote that he was probing political contender Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in criticism from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They say he provided false information to the legislative body by saying he had not approved an individual at the FBI to release to media organizations details about the government examinations.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "improperly attempting to affect, block and delay" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording James Comey shared to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"My family and I have been aware for years that there are consequences to challenging Mr Trump," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

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

These allegations against the former director emerged after the former president posted on digital channels demanding his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, prosecute the former director and other people.