🔗 Share this article

Former FBI director James the former director has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's lawyer filed the plea on his behalf in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would seek to have the case terminated for multiple causes including that his client, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was indicted soon after Donald Trump pressured his top legal official to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

In court on mid-week, the defense counsel the legal representative informed the court they aimed to file multiple petitions to terminate the legal matter before a trial, stating the prosecution was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully appointed to handle the legal matter.

The former director's case was first handled by a Virginia prosecutor, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his probe into another political adversary - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to file indictments.

Courtroom Atmosphere

The former director came across in good spirits as he walked into the courtroom on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was joined by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen, a US lawyer who the former government terminated.

After listening to the judge recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, Mr Comey was asked if he grasped the allegations.

"I do your honour. Thank you," he stated to the judge.

Background Context

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was terminated about several months into the former president's first administration as president. At the period, the director was leading an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and Trump's campaign.

While in office, the director caused a backlash from liberal politicians when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was examining political contender Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against the candidate were not pursued, causing criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Present Charges

The federal government claim Mr Comey lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in September 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the Russia election probe. They say he provided false information to the upper house by claiming he had not authorized an individual at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to journalistic entities information about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, hinder and slow" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

Through a recording Mr Comey posted to his social media after he was accused, he said he was not guilty and alleged Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to opposing Mr Trump," he said. "We refuse to live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he stated further. "Therefore proceed with a legal proceeding."

The charges against Mr Comey emerged after Donald Trump posted on online platforms calling for his top legal official, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.