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Former FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and obstructing a legislative process.

The former director's legal representative filed the response representing him in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

His attorney declared he would attempt to have the proceedings dismissed for several causes including that his defendant, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

The former director was charged shortly after the former president urged his top legal official to take action against him.

Legal Proceedings

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Mr Fitzgerald told the court they intended to submit several motions to throw out the legal matter before a trial, stating the prosecution was retaliatory and that a US attorney was improperly appointed to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's case was originally handled by Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from Trump after his examination into an additional political adversary - the New York official - failed to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

The former director came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on mid-week, conversing with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was joined by his spouse, his wife and offspring his daughter, a federal prosecutor who the former government terminated.

Following the reading to the judge state his legal protections and the two counts against him in court on Wednesday, James Comey was questioned if he comprehended the charges.

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

Background Context

The former director was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from four years and was dismissed about a few months into the former president's first term as president. At the time, he was overseeing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between Russia and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey caused a counter-response from the Democratic party when he stated just days before the 2016 election that he was examining presidential nominee the candidate's use of a non-governmental email account. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, leading to disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government claim the former director provided false information to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the foreign influence inquiry. They claim he misled the legislative body by saying he had not approved someone at the agency to release to journalistic entities details about the government examinations.

Prosecutors also charge the defendant of "improperly attempting to affect, obstruct and delay" the panel by giving misleading testimony to it.

Personal Comments

In a video the former director published to his Instagram after he was accused, he declared he was not guilty and charged Donald Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"Our household have understood for considerable time that there are consequences to challenging the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our knees."

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

The accusations against the former director came after the former president posted on online platforms demanding his attorney general, the attorney general, charge the former director and other people.