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Ex- Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has denied the charges to making false statements to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.

The former director's attorney entered the response acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the proceedings terminated for multiple reasons including that his the accused, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was formally accused shortly after the former president pushed his top legal official to proceed against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on mid-week, his attorney the legal representative informed the court they intended to present several legal requests to throw out the legal matter before a trial, claiming the prosecution was retaliatory and that a US attorney was improperly appointed to handle the case.

The former director's case was initially overseen by Erik Siebert, who resigned under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his examination into a different rival - the New York official - failed to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

Mr Comey seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the court on mid-week, chatting with his lawyers and making jokes. He was accompanied by his wife, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen, a US lawyer who the former government recently fired.

Upon hearing to the judge state his rights and the two counts against him in court on mid-week, Mr Comey was inquired if he grasped the accusations.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you," he stated to the court.

Historical Information

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about several months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the moment, the director was overseeing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

While in office, Mr Comey sparked a backlash from Democrats when he declared just immediately preceding the 2016 election that he was probing presidential nominee Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Clinton were not pursued, resulting in criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim James Comey gave untrue statements to the legislature during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the upper house by stating he had not approved a person at the agency to leak to journalistic entities details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge Mr Comey of "wrongfully trying to influence, block and impede" the committee by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Via social media the former director shared to his Instagram after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after Trump posted on online platforms calling for his top legal official, Pam Bondi, charge James Comey and additional individuals.