Why FBI director made Clinton email announcement now
Source: Michele Gorman
Why did FBI Director James Comey shock Washington on Friday with an announcement that the FBI "has learned of the existence of emails" related to Hillary Clinton's private email server, and what does it mean?
The truth is Comey didn't have a choice. Because the new information followed his sworn testimony about the case, Comey was obligated by Department of Justice rules to keep the relevant committees apprised.
Under oath Comey had stated that the bureau had completed its review. Once he learned that there were new emails that required examination, Comey had to notify Congress that he had to amend his testimony because it was no longer true.
Comey’s letter doesn't say his agents have discovered new witnesses or documents suggesting a criminal act occurred. Rather, he only suggests that evidence that had not yet been examined and, because it was relevant to the case, needs to be reviewed.
There's also a political dimension. Had Comey not told Congress and it emerged after the election that new materials had come into its possession, the director and his entire agency’s credibility might have been questioned.
In his letter, Comey did not use the phrase being touted by Republicans that the case had been reopened. Technically it was never closed. Nor did he signal at all about the importance or unimportance about the emails.
“In connection with an unrelated case, the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation,” he said in a letter he sent to congressional committee chairs. “Although the FBI cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant, and I cannot predict how long it will take us to complete this additional work, I believe it is important to update you.”
On the other hand, Comey did not offer any indication from whence the new evidence comes. By his omission he’s left a country in suspense.
Republicans were jubilant seeing it as something that could save the flailing Donald Trump campaign for president. The GOP nominee himself heaped praise on the FBI director after castigating him since his summer announcement that the bureau had not recommended a criminal charge be brought against Hillary Clinton.
“I have great respect for the fact that the FBI and the Department of Justice are now willing to have the courage to right the horrible mistake that they made,” Trump said. “This was a grave miscarriage of justice that the American people fully understood. And it is everybody's hope that it is about to be corrected.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan called for an end to classified briefings for Clinton.
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