🔗 Share this article

Former FBI chief James the ex-FBI chief has denied the charges to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

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

His attorney stated he would try to have the proceedings dismissed for multiple factors including that his defendant, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

James Comey was indicted soon after Trump pushed his top legal official to take action against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they intended to file multiple motions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully assigned to take over the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was originally managed by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under influence from Trump after his examination into another rival - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

The former director appeared in good spirits as he walked into the court on Wednesday, chatting with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his wife, his wife and offspring his daughter, a government attorney who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the judge recite his rights and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, the defendant was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as president. At the time, Mr Comey 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 triggered a backlash from liberal politicians when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was investigating political contender Clinton's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Clinton were not filed, leading to criticism from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

Prosecutors allege James Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2020 when he was being questioned about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not approved an individual at the agency to release to journalistic entities details about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also accuse the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, obstruct and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Via social media Mr Comey published to his online platform after he was indicted, he stated he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of conducting himself like a "tyrant".

"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are costs to challenging the former president," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

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

These allegations against the former director came after the former president published on digital channels demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.