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Former FBI director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to making false statements to US legislators and impeding a legislative process.

His attorney entered the plea on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney stated he would try to have the legal matter terminated for various causes including that his the accused, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was formally accused just days after the former president pushed his top legal official to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on mid-week, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald informed the magistrate they planned to file various motions to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, claiming the government's case was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was improperly appointed to take over the case.

James Comey's proceedings was first overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his examination into a different opponent - New York Attorney General Letitia James - failed to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

James Comey came across in positive mood as he entered the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his partner, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the former government dismissed.

Upon hearing to the court recite his constitutional guarantees and the pair of allegations against him in court on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he understood the charges.

"Absolutely your honour. Thank you very much," he told the judge.

Previous Events

Mr Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about four months into Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the time, the director was overseeing an examination into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey caused a negative reaction from the Democratic party when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was investigating political contender the candidate's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Present Charges

The federal government allege James Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a congressional hearing in 2020 when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They say he deceived the Senate by stating he had not approved someone at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to leak to news outlets information about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also allege Mr Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, hinder and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Via social media the former director published to his online platform after he was accused, he declared he was innocent and alleged Donald Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"We have known for considerable time that there are costs to challenging Donald Trump," he said. "We will not live on our kneeling."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "So let's have a trial."

These allegations against the former director came after Trump shared on online platforms insisting on his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against Mr Comey and other people.