Former FBI director James Comey has asked a federal judge to dismiss criminal charges against him, arguing the US lawyer who brought the case was unlawfully appointed and that he is being unfairly targeted because of President Donald Trump's "personal spite" against him.

"The indictment in this case arises from multiple glaring constitutional violations and an egregious abuse of power by the federal government," Comey's legal team wrote in one of two filings, which said the case should be dismissed on the basis of it being a vindictive and selective prosecution.

"President Trump ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute Mr Comey because of personal spite and because Mr Comey has frequently criticised the president for his conduct in office," his lawyers said.

Comey was the fi

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