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Ex- FBI head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's attorney filed the plea acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

His attorney stated he would try to have the legal matter thrown out for several reasons including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Court Developments

During the hearing on Wednesday, his attorney the legal representative informed the court they intended to file various motions to dismiss the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the prosecution was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully assigned to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was initially handled by the original attorney, who left his position under influence from the former president after his investigation into another political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

James Comey seemed in good spirits as he entered the court on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was joined by his partner, his wife and child his daughter, a government attorney who the Trump administration dismissed.

Following the reading to the magistrate recite his constitutional guarantees and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was asked if he grasped the accusations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he informed the court.

Historical Information

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was terminated about several months into the former president's first term as national leader. At the period, he was directing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Moscow and the election effort.

During his tenure, the director triggered a backlash from Democrats when he stated just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining Democratic candidate the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Hillary Clinton were not filed, causing disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys claim Mr Comey lied to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he misled the legislative body by saying he had not permitted a person at the agency to disclose to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also allege the defendant of "improperly attempting to influence, obstruct and slow" the panel by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording Mr Comey published to his social media after he was charged, he stated he was innocent and alleged Trump of behaving like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for a long time that there are consequences to challenging Donald Trump," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The accusations against James Comey came after the former president posted on digital channels insisting on his top legal official, Pam Bondi, take legal action against the former director and others.