FBI's big test: Clinton email probe raises political doubts

[webfact]

FBI's big test: Clinton email probe raises political doubts

By ERIC TUCKER

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI's handling of its Hillary Clinton email probe has undercut the bureau's carefully crafted image as a respected law enforcement organization unquestionably outside the political fray.

 

The yearlong investigation thrust the FBI into the thick of an already fractious presidential race, entangled in a way that strained its vaunted independence and cracked its prized reputation for silence about its work.

 

Even after Tuesday's election, FBI Director James Comey is sure to face second-guessing over his public statements that opened the curtain on normally secret investigative details.

 

"This has been a very difficult election process. Unfortunately, the FBI has been drawn into it," said Leo Taddeo, a retired FBI supervisor.

 

Although Comey signaled a conclusion to the Clinton email matter with a letter to Congress on Sunday, the discussion continues. Lawmakers demand answers to questions left unresolved by two vague and ambiguous Comey letters. Clinton and her aides feel wronged by the disclosure of "new" emails less than two weeks before Election Day. And ex-prosecutors of both parties are concerned the bureau's actions strayed from its mandate to steer clear of politics.

 

If Clinton should win on Tuesday, could the investigation follow her into the White House? Comey said Sunday that agents had finished reviewing all newly found emails to and from her while she was secretary of state and had found nothing to change his conclusion from July — no charges. A senior law enforcement official said the letter meant an end to the email review, rather than a simple status update. There was no suggestion any of Clinton's aides were being scrutinized, indicating the investigation was again closed.

 

It's hard to gauge the political impact of Comey's recent announcements. In the nine days between Comey's initial statement that he was looking at more emails and his all-clear announcement on Sunday, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots — about 18 percent of the expected total votes for president.

 

The controversy, coupled with leaks that laid bare internal squabbling, suggests a tough road ahead for FBI leaders regardless of who wins Tuesday.

 

After a referral from the intelligence community inspector general, the FBI began investigating Clinton for the potential mishandling of classified information as secretary of state. Comey has said the investigation was done without regard to politics, but he also never lost sight of political sensitivities, receiving regular briefings but refusing to comment in public.

 

When the FBI decided in July it wouldn't recommend charges, he broke from protocol and delivered an unusual public statement chastising Clinton and her aides as "extremely careless."

 

There was plenty of Republican pushback to that announcement, but it was nothing compared to what Comey has faced the past two weeks.

 

That started with his Oct. 28 notification to Congress that the FBI would review newly discovered emails potentially connected to the email investigation.

 

The statement provoked outrage from Clinton and other Democrats who said it needlessly placed her under suspicion when the FBI didn't even know if the emails were relevant.

 

Then came Sunday's statement, in which Comey effectively cleared the Democratic presidential nominee by saying the new review had done nothing to change the FBI's July recommendation that she not face charges. Though a relief to Democrats and Clinton, the news also raised skepticism among Republicans and questions among others why the issue had been raised again.

 

Comey has said he felt obligated to alert Congress after having previously testified that the investigation had been closed. Supporters say had he kept silent until after the election, he would have faced partisan allegations of stifling a bombshell announcement and perhaps given fuel to allegations of a "rigged" election. He also would have risked the chance of the news leaking out.

 

"Do I sit quietly and do nothing for 10 days and let the election quietly go by, pregnant with the knowledge that we have thousands of new emails?" said Ron Hosko, a retired FBI assistant director. "Or do I tell the same Congress that I've been committed to being transparent with?"

 

The bureau has been further roiled by leaks that hint at discord over the handling of a separate inquiry involving the Clinton Foundation and agents from the FBI's New York field office, the agency's largest. The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that FBI agents seeking an investigation met this year with public corruption prosecutors to present allegations they wanted to pursue, but that the lawyers did not see a basis for moving forward.

 

Thomas O'Connor, president of the FBI Agents Association, said FBI agents conduct investigations with "integrity and professionalism" and that it was wrong to imply that agents don't respect the confidential nature of their work.

 

The latest turmoil poses a unique challenge for a venerable law enforcement organization and for a director who talks often about his desire to be accountable to the American people and transparent.

 

Depending on who wins Tuesday, Comey will have to co-exist with either a Republican president who has repeatedly challenged his agency's integrity or a Democrat whose email practices were the subject of a criminal investigation. He'll also probably have to explain his decision-making to Congress.

 

"Rest assured, Jim Comey's not afraid of creating controversy," Taddeo said. "He is determined to do the right thing."

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-11-08

[Thailand]

I guess if Clinton becomes president there will be a few senior FBI personnel finding themselves in inactive posts in the not too distant future.

[Credo]

.....unless they are keeping those old Hoover secret files up to date.   

[maoro2013]

Well in my opinion voters have the right to know what is going on, even if it is on election eve. It is probably wrong to say this is politically motivated, HC did it to herself.

[Andaman Al]

Maybe Comey had no choice but to write the letter to the Congressional Committee concerning 'potential new email' issues, but surely isn't the Congressional Committee also under some responsibility to keep such investigative matters confidential? Why was it (the letter) given to the world by the Committee until the matter had been clarified?

[JHolmesJr]

It's all the FBI's fault….lol.

[CaptHaddock]

10 minutes ago, Andaman Al said:

Maybe Comey had no choice but to write the letter to the Congressional Committee concerning 'potential new email' issues, but surely isn't the Congressional Committee also under some responsibility to keep such investigative matters confidential? Why was it (the letter) given to the world by the Committee until the matter had been clarified?

 

Why on earth would a Congressional Committee make an investigation of the FBI's interference in the election and then keep the result secret?  The Congress is doing the work of the citizenry who are presumed to have a right to know the results.

 

 

[hawker9000]

NFAR.  Hmmm.  'Guess Comey likes the corner office & wants to keep it...

[The Deerhunter]

6 hours ago, Thailand said:

I guess if Clinton becomes president there will be a few senior FBI personnel finding themselves in inactive posts in the not too distant future.

Like the police here in LOS????? 555  America learning from Thailand!  Wonders never cease.

[KBsinter]

How Comey got the job is a mystery to me, I"m a Brit but this man does not convey confidence, to me !! let alone the American people, but I suppose Obama put him there,what a choice,disgraceful...

[Andaman Al]

4 hours ago, CaptHaddock said:

 

Why on earth would a Congressional Committee make an investigation of the FBI's interference in the election and then keep the result secret?  The Congress is doing the work of the citizenry who are presumed to have a right to know the results.

 

 

But that is just it. There was no result. Comey submitted information that was incomplete. No investigation had yet taken place or evidence had even been gathered, therefore (as happened) the General public will come to a wide array of wrong conclusions. The Congressional Committee should have said, 'thank you for notifying us now go and investigate and give us the proper conclusions and evidence that a crime has been committed - THEN we will make this matter public'.

[JLCrab]

1 hour ago, KBsinter said:

How Comey got the job is a mystery to me, I"m a Brit but this man does not convey confidence,

to me !! let alone the American people,but I suppose Obama put him there,what a choice,disgaceful...

Comey -- a Republican -- had a long career as a US Attorney and Justice Department official but Obama mainly appointed him FBI Director as Comey is 2.03 meters - 6 foot 7" tall * and he could play basketball with Obama at the White House nearby FBI HQ.

* Others list him at 6 foot 8 inches

Edited November 8, 2016 by JLCrab

[CaptHaddock]

2 hours ago, Andaman Al said:

But that is just it. There was no result. Comey submitted information that was incomplete. No investigation had yet taken place or evidence had even been gathered, therefore (as happened) the General public will come to a wide array of wrong conclusions. The Congressional Committee should have said, 'thank you for notifying us now go and investigate and give us the proper conclusions and evidence that a crime has been committed - THEN we will make this matter public'.

 

I was confused.  I thought we were talking about the upcoming Congressional hearings on the FBI and Comey as to whether they broke the law and/or DOJ policy.

[ilostmypassword]

For all the people who were indignant about Hillary Clinton not being prosecuted, here's something else to get indignant about:

Trump’s national security adviser shared secrets without permission, files show

A secret U.S. military investigation in 2010 determined that Michael T. Flynn, the retired Army general tapped to serve as national security adviser in the Trump White House, “inappropriately shared” classified information with foreign military officers in Afghanistan, newly released documents show.

Although Flynn lacked authorization to share the classified material, he was not disciplined or reprimanded after the investigation concluded that he did not act “knowingly” and that “there was no actual or potential damage to national security as a result,” according to Army records obtained by The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trumps-national-security-adviser-shared-secrets-without-permission-files-show/2016/12/13/72669740-c146-11e6-9578-0054287507db_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_flynn-705a%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.cae95ff179d3

 

[Credo]

....But, but, but....

[lannarebirth]

36 minutes ago, Credo said:

....But, but, but....

 

But nothing. Throw him out too. Next!

[Silurian]

Warrant, what warrant? We don't need no stinkin' warrant!!! Seems like some other "funny business" going on over at the FBI. Geez, between Russia and the FBI, I'm glad it didn't interfere at all with the election. (read the last line as sarcasm)

 

Abedin claims she never received FBI warrant for Weiner emails

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/15/abedin-claims-never-received-fbi-warrant-for-weiner-emails.html