Previous FBI Head James Comey Submits Innocent Plea to Charges of Falsehoods Lawmakers

Former FBI director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to giving untrue testimony to congressional representatives and obstructing a lawmaking procedure.

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

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would attempt to have the proceedings thrown out for several reasons including that his the accused, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

The former director was charged shortly after the former president pushed his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald told the judge they intended to submit multiple legal requests to dismiss the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to assume control of the proceedings.

James Comey's case was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his probe into another opponent - NY AG Letitia James - failed to initiate prosecution.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he entered the court on mid-week, chatting with his legal team and sharing humor. He was supported by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the previous administration dismissed.

Upon hearing to the magistrate read his legal protections and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on Wednesday, James Comey was asked if he understood the allegations.

"I do your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the proceedings.

Previous Events

James Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was dismissed about four months into Trump's first administration as president. At the period, the director was overseeing an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the election effort.

While in office, James Comey sparked a counter-response from Democrats when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against Clinton were never brought, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors claim the former director lied to Congress during a congressional hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he deceived the upper house by saying he had not authorized a person at the FBI to release to media organizations details about the agency probes.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and delay" the committee by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

In a video Mr Comey shared to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was wrongly accused and accused Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"We have understood for a long time that there are ramifications to standing up to Mr Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against the former director came after Donald Trump shared on online platforms calling for his top legal official, Ms Bondi, charge James Comey and other people.