Congress Demanding More FBI Docs on State Department’s Alleged ‘Quid Pro Quo’
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is demanding that the FBI hand over more documents from their investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. But this time, the request is more narrow — the committee is asking for all investigation documents related to Under Secretary of State Patrick Kennedy’s alleged “quid pro quo” proposal, in which the top Clinton aide offered more FBI agents overseas in exchange for the classification change of a certain email before it went public.
The topic of the email in question? Benghazi.
According to a Fox News report, the FBI has until Thursday of next week to hand over the documents.
“The FBI thought this information was not relevant,” Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee told Fox News, “and that is just stunning to me, because this is some of the most unbelievable set of documents that we’ve seen to date, and it really goes to the core of why we’re so concerned and why we have to continue to do vigorous oversight.”
What is the Quid Pro Quo Scandal?
The quid pro quo scandal surfaced Monday after the FBI released 100 more documents from their Clinton investigation — the final set in a four-part release.
The Stream covered the controversial finding, which suggested that Kennedy unsuccessfully pressured multiple people at the FBI to change the classification of one email before it was released. The classification change Kennedy sought would have allowed the State Department to archive the email instead of releasing it to the public in accordance with Congress’s Freedom of Information Act request. According to one interview summary of a senior FBI official, Kennedy offered a “quid pro quo:” more FBI agents “in countries where they are presently forbidden” in exchange for the classification change. The FBI’s request for those agents had previously been ignored by Kennedy.
Members of Congress expressed outrage over the finding, including House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chaffetz and Devin Nunes (R-CA), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. In a joint statement, Chaffetz and Nunes said Kennedy’s alleged conduct is “extremely disturbing” and called for Kennedy’s removal:
Someone who would try to get classified markings doctored should not continue serving in the State Department or retain access to classified information. Therefore, President Obama and Secretary Kerry should immediately remove Under Secretary Kennedy pending full investigation.
What Was the Email?
The email that Kennedy allegedly attempted to have “doctored” is one of two emails that sparked the initial FBI investigation into Clinton’s email habits as secretary of state, reported Catherine Herridge, Fox’s Chief Intelligence correspondent. The subject line of the email is, “FW: FYI — Report of arrests — possible Benghazi connection.” The email was sent on November 18, 2012, two months after an attack on U.S. government facilities in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens, were killed in the attack.
The heavily redacted email says that individuals possibly connected to the attack had been arrested in Libya. The majority of the email’s contents, such as confidential sources, were classified, Herridge reported. The email was sent on Clinton’s private email server.
Clinton, secretary of state at the time of the attack, has been accused of failing to provide adequate security for the Americans who were stationed in Benghazi. Clinton also long insisted there was no classified information on her private email server. This email contradicted that assertion.
Did Kennedy Really Offer a Quid Pro Quo?
After the release of the FBI documents Monday, the State Department released a statement that “there was never a quid pro quo,” a position they have since maintained.
“They’re notes from interviews,” John Kirby, State Department spokesman, said of the interview summaries, indicating that they may not be accurate. “They’re not facts, they’re not conclusions, they’re not investigative work.”
But for Chaffetz and his committee who are waiting to see more FBI documents, that’s not a good enough answer.