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Former FBI chief James Comey has denied the charges to providing misleading information to lawmakers and impeding a legislative process.

The former director's legal representative submitted the answer representing him in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would seek to have the legal matter dismissed for various causes including that his client, a critic of former President Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

James Comey was charged soon after Trump pushed his top legal official to proceed against him.

Judicial Process

During the hearing on Wednesday, his attorney Patrick Fitzgerald told the judge they intended to file multiple petitions to throw out the proceedings before a legal hearing, arguing the legal action was retaliatory and that a US attorney was unlawfully designated to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was initially managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who resigned under scrutiny from Trump after his investigation into another political adversary - the New York official - was unable to file indictments.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey appeared in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on Wednesday, conversing with his legal team and making jokes. He was accompanied by his wife, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the Trump administration recently fired.

After listening to the judge read his rights and the pair of allegations against him in court on Wednesday, Mr Comey was inquired if he understood the allegations.

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

Background Context

Mr Comey was the head of the FBI from 2013-2017 and was dismissed about four months into Donald Trump's initial presidency as president. At the period, the director was directing an examination into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, the director caused a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was examining Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, leading to criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

The federal government claim Mr Comey gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020 when he was being questioned about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he deceived the legislative body by claiming he had not permitted a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to journalistic entities information about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also charge James Comey of "wrongfully trying to sway, block and slow" the panel by providing untrue information to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording the former director published to his online platform after he was indicted, he said he was not guilty and charged Trump of behaving like a "dictator".

"Our household have known for considerable time that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," he commented. "We choose not to live on our kneeling."

"I'm innocent," he added. "Therefore proceed with a court case."

The charges against James Comey came after the former president published on digital channels calling for his top legal official, Ms Bondi, take legal action against Mr Comey and others.