Comey Softened Language In Hillary Memo Even After CIA Officials Called Her Emails ‘Problematic
CIA officials described emails found on Hillary Clinton’s private email server as “problematic” and damaging to the agency, according to summaries of interviews they gave to the FBI last May and June.
The timing of the interviews is significant because they are within a 39 day time window in which top FBI officials, including then-director James Comey, edited language in a draft memo of a statement that was to be given at the conclusion of the Clinton email probe.
A May 2, 2016 memo sent by Comey to three top bureau officials referred to Clinton’s use of a private email server to send and receive classified information as “grossly negligent.”
But according to Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the memo was changed on or around June 10 to refer to Clinton’s actions as merely “extremely careless.”
The distinction between “grossly negligent” and “extremely careless” is significant because the former is considered a federal crime while the latter term has no legal weight.
Grassley sent a letter this week to FBI Director Christopher Wray seeking information about edits on the draft. The Republican has questioned why FBI brass appeared to decide to clear Clinton more than a month before its investigation was completed. (RELATED: Comey Accused Hillary Of ‘Gross Negligence’ In Email Case
A review of summaries of 19 FBI interviews conducted during the 39 day window between May 2 and June 10, 2016 shows little in the way of new information that would seem to justify exonerating Clinton, a former secretary of state. And in three interviews during that period, CIA officials described emails found on Clinton’s server as “problematic” and damaging to the agency.
Comey sent his initial draft to FBI general counsel James Baker, chief of staff James Rybicki, and deputy director Andrew McCabe, The Hill reported earlier this week.
Clinton was interviewed by FBI agents on July 2, and Comey made his statement exonerating the Democrat three days later.
In his May 2 draft memo, Comey stated that “there is evidence to support a conclusion that Secretary Clinton, and others, used the private email server in a manner that was grossly negligent with respect to the handling of classified material.”
But at a July 5 press conference, Comey said that “although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information, there is evidence that they were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information.”
Comey said that “no reasonable prosecutor” would bring a case against Clinton.
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And this is who they wanted to be President. Thankfully she lost
I spent over a year pissed at all the coverage of every little Hillary non scandal being put to investigations repeatedly, watching Russia help their puppet, watching republicans using their government positions to make their political points. Watching Comey help Trump and Russia, purposefully or not. Suck it up, buttercup. Shit happens.