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Former FBI director James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and obstructing a legislative process.

The former director's lawyer filed the plea representing him in a national courtroom in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

Patrick Fitzgerald declared he would attempt to have the legal matter thrown out for several reasons including that his client, a critic of President Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was formally accused shortly after Trump urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Judicial Process

At the proceedings on mid-week, the defense counsel the legal representative informed the judge they intended to submit several legal requests to dismiss the case before a legal hearing, stating the legal action was vindictive and that a federal prosecutor was unlawfully appointed to take over the legal matter.

Mr Comey's legal matter was originally managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under pressure from the former president after his investigation into a different opponent - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Courtroom Atmosphere

James Comey appeared in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the courtroom on Wednesday, speaking with his lawyers and being lighthearted. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Failor and child Maureen, a federal prosecutor who the Trump administration dismissed.

After listening to the magistrate state his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, James Comey was questioned if he grasped the accusations.

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

Historical Information

James Comey was the FBI Director from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about a few months into the former president's initial presidency as president. At the period, he was overseeing an investigation into Russian election interference and whether there were any links between Russia and Trump's campaign.

During his tenure, Mr Comey sparked a negative reaction from Democrats when he declared just days before the 2016 presidential election that he was examining political contender Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email system. Legal actions against Hillary Clinton were not pursued, causing criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys claim the former director provided false information to Congress during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in recent years when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the Russia election probe. They say he misled the upper house by saying he had not authorized someone at the FBI to leak to journalistic entities details about the agency probes.

Legal representatives also charge the defendant of "wrongfully trying to influence, hinder and delay" the committee by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

Through a recording Mr Comey published to his social media after he was charged, he said he was not guilty and accused the former president of behaving like a "dictator".

"My family and I have known for a long time that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I have done nothing wrong," he added. "Thus initiate a court case."

The charges against the former director surfaced after Donald Trump posted on online platforms calling for his top legal official, Ms Bondi, charge Mr Comey and others.