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Former FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to giving untrue testimony to lawmakers and hindering a congressional proceeding.

Mr Comey's legal representative submitted the plea representing him in a national courtroom in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer declared he would try to have the case thrown out for various factors including that his the accused, a detractor of President Donald Trump, was being targeted.

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

Court Developments

In court on Wednesday, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald advised the magistrate they intended to file several motions to dismiss the case before a court case, arguing the prosecution was vindictive and that a US attorney was unlawfully appointed to take over the proceedings.

The former director's legal matter was first overseen by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under scrutiny from Trump after his probe into a different opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey seemed in good spirits as he came into the legal venue on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was joined by his partner, Mrs Failor and offspring his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.

After listening to the magistrate read his rights and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he comprehended the charges.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he informed the court.

Historical Information

The former director was the FBI Director from 2013-2017 and was terminated about a few months into Donald Trump's first term as president. At the time, he was directing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any connections between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

Throughout his leadership, the director triggered a backlash from the Democratic party when he declared just days before the national vote that he was probing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were not pursued, resulting in negative feedback from the Republican party as well.

Ongoing Accusations

The federal government allege the former director lied to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They say he misled the upper house by claiming he had not approved someone at the agency to leak to media organizations data about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "improperly attempting to influence, hinder and impede" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Public Statements

In a video the former director shared to his social media after he was charged, he declared he was wrongly accused and accused the former president of behaving like a "tyrant".

"My family and I have understood for considerable time that there are ramifications to standing up to Donald Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our knees."

"I'm innocent," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

These allegations against James Comey surfaced after the former president published on digital channels calling for his chief prosecutor, Pam Bondi, prosecute Mr Comey and additional individuals.