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Previous FBI head James Comey has entered an innocent plea to providing misleading information to congressional representatives and hindering a legislative process.

Mr Comey's lawyer submitted the plea on his behalf in a US district court in the Virginia city of Alexandria on Wednesday morning.

The defense lawyer announced he would try to have the legal matter thrown out for various factors including that his defendant, a critic of Donald Trump, was being selectively prosecuted.

Mr Comey was charged just days after Donald Trump urged his chief prosecutor to move forward against him.

Legal Proceedings

During the hearing on mid-week, his attorney Mr Fitzgerald told the magistrate they aimed to file several petitions to terminate the proceedings before a trial, stating the government's case was spiteful and that a US attorney was wrongfully assigned to take over the proceedings.

Mr Comey's legal matter was initially overseen by a Virginia prosecutor, who left his position under scrutiny from Trump after his probe into an additional opponent - NY AG Letitia James - was unable to bring criminal charges.

Judicial Environment

James Comey appeared in good spirits as he came into the court on mid-week, conversing with his lawyers and making jokes. He was accompanied by his spouse, Patrice Failor and child Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor who the previous administration recently fired.

Following the reading to the court read his rights and the pair of allegations against him in the courtroom on Wednesday, Mr Comey was questioned if he understood the charges.

"Yes your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the proceedings.

Historical Information

The former director was the head of the FBI from 2013 to 2017 and was terminated about a few months into the former president's first administration as national leader. At the moment, Mr Comey was leading an probe into Russian election interference and whether there were any relationships between the Russian government and the presidential campaign.

During his tenure, James Comey sparked a negative reaction from liberal politicians when he stated just immediately preceding the 2016 presidential election that he was probing political contender the candidate's use of a personal email system. Charges against the candidate were never brought, causing criticism from conservative politicians as well.

Ongoing Accusations

Government attorneys assert the former director provided false information to the legislature during a congressional hearing in recent years when he was being interrogated about both the email probe as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he provided false information to the upper house by stating he had not authorized a person at the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose to journalistic entities information about the agency probes.

Government lawyers also allege James Comey of "improperly attempting to influence, block and impede" the legislative group by giving misleading testimony to it.

Individual Responses

Through a recording Mr Comey posted to his Instagram after he was accused, he declared he was wrongly accused and charged Trump of conducting himself like a "autocrat".

"Our household have been aware for a long time that there are costs to challenging Mr Trump," he said. "We will not live on our bended knee."

"I am not guilty," he continued. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

These allegations against James Comey emerged after the former president posted on social media demanding his top legal official, the attorney general, prosecute James Comey and others.