Wall Street Journal: New FBI Investigation Could Include 650K Emails
New information is coming out about the FBI’s new examination of emails that relate to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s email practices as U.S. Secretary of State. The Wall Street Journal reports that 650,000 emails may have been discovered in a computer previously unknown to investigators, and USA TODAY reports that investigators are negotiating with “representatives” of senior Clinton aide Huma Abedin for access to her computer.
FBI Director James Comey’s letter about a newly discovered trove of e-mails on a computer shared by Abedin and husband former Rep. Anthony Weiner has been slammed as partisan by Democrats and as an issue of transparency by Republicans. Comey’s letter came despite a DOJ recommendation that he not reveal the new information publicly, as it could affect the election. Weiner is reportedly cooperating with authorities.
The DOJ’s decision-making on the Clinton investigation has been under fire since Comey decided not to recommend charges against Clinton for her illegal practices. The July decision was predated by a meeting between U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton.
On Sunday morning, Fox News‘ Chris Wallace grilled Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook on the campaign’s false claim that Comey’s letter was sent solely to Republicans. Likewise, CNN’s Jake Tapper asked campaign chairman John Podesta if Clinton was to blame for the email controversies that have arisen thanks to Clinton’s use of a private server instead of a State Department server.
While criticism of Comey has mostly come from the left and the Clinton campaign, some voices on the right have also denounced Comey’s decision. GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump supporter and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro said that “Comey’s actions violate” DOJ policy and “the most fundamental rules of fairness and impartiality.” Washington Post columnist and noted Trump opponent George Will called the letter a “contentless October surprise.”
Comey’s letter was publicized on Friday; it was later reported that the emails are on Weiner’s computer. Weiner used the computer as part of his effort to exchange sexually explicit messages with women, including a minor. The emails were discovered by accident as the FBI investigated Weiner.