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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.

His attorney entered the answer acting as his counsel in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

The defense lawyer declared he would seek to have the proceedings dismissed for several factors including that his the accused, a critic of former President Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was indicted shortly after Donald Trump pushed his attorney general to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on mid-week, the defense counsel Patrick Fitzgerald told the magistrate they intended to submit various legal requests to terminate the case before a court case, arguing the legal action was retaliatory and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to take over the legal matter.

The former director's case was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under pressure from Trump after his examination into an additional opponent - NY AG Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

The former director seemed in optimistic frame of mind as he walked into the court on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and being lighthearted. He was supported by his partner, Patrice Failor and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the Trump administration recently fired.

Upon hearing to the magistrate state his legal protections and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Thank you very much," he stated to the court.

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from four years and was fired about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as president. At the time, he was directing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

While in office, the director sparked a backlash from liberal politicians when he declared just immediately preceding the national vote that he was probing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against the candidate were not pursued, leading to criticism from Republicans as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors claim James Comey provided false information to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the upper house by saying he had not approved a person at the agency to leak to news outlets details about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also allege Mr Comey of "improperly attempting to sway, block and delay" the panel by providing untrue information to it.

Public Statements

Via social media Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was accused, he said he was innocent and alleged the former president of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"We have known for years that there are ramifications to standing up to Mr Trump," he stated. "We will not live on our knees."

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

These allegations against James Comey came after Donald Trump published on social media demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, prosecute Mr Comey and additional individuals.