🔗 Share this article

Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation chief James the former director has denied the charges to making false statements to congressional representatives and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

His legal representative entered the plea acting as his counsel in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the case dismissed for several factors including that his client, a opponent of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was indicted shortly after the former president urged his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, the defense counsel the legal representative informed the judge they aimed to present various motions to throw out the case before a court case, stating the legal action was spiteful and that a US attorney was unlawfully assigned to assume control of the proceedings.

The former director's case was initially overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under influence from Donald Trump after his examination into another political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey appeared in good spirits as he walked into the legal venue on Wednesday, speaking with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his wife, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the previous administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the court recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was asked if he grasped the charges.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was dismissed about several months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the time, he was overseeing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

While in office, the director triggered a backlash from Democrats when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was investigating Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a personal email system. Indictments against Clinton were never brought, resulting in negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert the former director gave untrue statements to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They allege he deceived the legislative body by saying he had not approved an individual at the FBI to release to journalistic entities data about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also allege James Comey of "wrongfully trying to affect, block and slow" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Via social media James Comey posted to his online platform after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are ramifications to opposing the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

These allegations against James Comey emerged after Donald Trump published on social media insisting on his top legal official, Ms Bondi, charge James Comey and others.