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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to lawmakers and impeding a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's attorney filed the plea acting as his counsel in a federal court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on mid-week.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the case thrown out for multiple reasons including that his defendant, a detractor of Donald Trump, was being singled out.

Mr Comey was indicted just days after the former president urged his attorney general to move forward against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on mid-week, Comey's lawyer Patrick Fitzgerald advised the court they planned to file multiple legal requests to terminate the proceedings before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully designated to handle the legal matter.

James Comey's legal matter was initially managed by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from the former president after his investigation into an additional political adversary - New York Attorney General Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Legal Setting

Mr Comey came across in good spirits as he came into the courtroom on mid-week, speaking with his legal team and being lighthearted. He was joined by his spouse, Patrice Failor and daughter Maureen Comey, a government attorney who the former government recently fired.

Following the reading to the magistrate read his rights and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on mid-week, James Comey was asked if he grasped the allegations.

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

Previous Events

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about four months into Donald Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the moment, he was directing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any connections between the Russian government and the election effort.

While in office, James Comey triggered a backlash from Democrats when he announced just shortly prior to the 2016 presidential election that he was probing presidential nominee Clinton's use of a private email server. Legal actions against Clinton were not filed, leading to disapproval from the Republican party as well.

Current Allegations

Government attorneys claim Mr Comey provided false information to the legislature during a legislative proceeding in recent years when he was being examined about both the previous examination as well as the election interference investigation. They say he deceived the legislative body by stating he had not authorized someone at the agency to disclose to news outlets information about the FBI investigations.

Prosecutors also accuse James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to sway, hinder and slow" the legislative group by providing untrue information to it.

Personal Comments

In a video Mr Comey published to his social media after he was indicted, he declared he was not guilty and charged the former president of acting like a "dictator".

"We have been aware for years that there are ramifications to opposing the former president," he said. "We will not live on our knees."

"I have done nothing wrong," he continued. "Therefore proceed with a trial."

The accusations against Mr Comey emerged after Trump posted on digital channels demanding his top legal official, the attorney general, prosecute the former director and others.