🔗 Share this article

Former FBI chief James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to US legislators and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's legal representative filed the response acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on mid-week.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the legal matter terminated for various factors including that his the accused, a detractor of former President Trump, was being targeted.

James Comey was charged shortly after Donald Trump pushed his chief prosecutor to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on mid-week, the defense counsel the legal representative told the court they aimed to present multiple petitions to terminate the case before a court case, arguing the prosecution was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully assigned to handle the proceedings.

The former director's proceedings was first handled by Erik Siebert, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into another opponent - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

The former director appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and making jokes. He was supported by his spouse, Mrs Failor and child Maureen, a government attorney who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the magistrate recite his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, the defendant was asked if he understood the allegations.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he stated to the proceedings.

Background Context

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about a few months into Trump's first term as commander-in-chief. At the time, the director was overseeing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the election effort.

During his tenure, the director sparked a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he announced just shortly prior to the national vote that he was investigating presidential nominee Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Charges against the candidate were not pursued, resulting in disapproval from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege James Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They claim he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not approved someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to media organizations details about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also charge Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, hinder and impede" the legislative group by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

In a video Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was indicted, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"Our household have been aware for considerable time that there are costs to opposing the former president," he commented. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "So let's have a trial."

The charges against James Comey came after the former president shared on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, prosecute the former director and others.