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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the former director has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to US legislators and impeding a congressional proceeding.

His lawyer filed the response on his behalf in a US district court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the case dismissed for various causes including that his defendant, a opponent of former President Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted just days after Donald Trump pushed his top legal official to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on Wednesday, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they planned to submit multiple legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, arguing the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully designated to handle the proceedings.

Mr Comey's case was originally overseen by the original attorney, who left his position under scrutiny from Donald Trump after his investigation into another rival - NY AG Letitia James - did not succeed to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

James Comey came across in good spirits as he entered the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his lawyers and sharing humor. He was supported by his spouse, his wife and offspring Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the former government dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate recite his rights and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, James Comey was questioned if he understood the charges.

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

Previous Events

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was fired about several months into the former president's first term as commander-in-chief. At the moment, he was leading an probe into international campaign influence and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.

Throughout his leadership, James Comey sparked a backlash from liberal politicians when he stated just shortly prior to the 2016 election that he was examining Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Indictments against Hillary Clinton were not filed, resulting in negative feedback from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

The federal government allege James Comey gave untrue statements to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not approved a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to release to media organizations data about the FBI investigations.

Government lawyers also accuse James Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, block and impede" the panel by making false statements to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording Mr Comey published to his online platform after he was indicted, he said he was innocent and alleged Trump of acting like a "tyrant".

"We have understood for considerable time that there are costs to opposing Mr Trump," he stated. "We refuse to live on our kneeling."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "So let's have a court case."

The charges against James Comey came after Trump published on social media calling for his attorney general, the attorney general, charge Mr Comey and others.