🔗 Share this article

Ex- FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and hindering a congressional proceeding.

His attorney submitted the response acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer stated he would attempt to have the proceedings terminated for various causes including that his the accused, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged soon after the former president pushed his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald advised the judge they planned to file multiple petitions to throw out the case before a court case, arguing the prosecution was retaliatory and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to handle the proceedings.

The former director's case was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under influence from Donald Trump after his examination into another political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his partner, his wife and daughter Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration recently fired.

After listening to the judge state his legal protections and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, the defendant was inquired if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you," he informed the court.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was terminated about four months into Trump's first term as national leader. At the moment, the director was overseeing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Russia and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were not filed, leading to negative feedback from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Prosecutors allege James Comey provided false information to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he misled the upper house by saying he had not authorized someone at the FBI to disclose to journalistic entities information about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to affect, block and impede" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was charged, he said he was not guilty and charged the former president of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to challenging the former president," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "So let's have a legal proceeding."

The charges against James Comey emerged after the former president published on digital channels insisting on his attorney general, Pam Bondi, charge James Comey and others.