FBI Director James Comey announced Tuesday that the agency would not recommend criminal charges against Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton for using a private email server and the “careless” exchange of classified information via that account as secretary of state.
James Comey said that there is evidence that shows that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive information, but the FBI did not find clear evidence that Mrs. Clinton intended to violate laws when she managed classified information using private email server. He added that Clinton and her staffers were “often subject to security or administrative sanctions” but after comparing her case with similar investigations in the past, the bureau could not find any evidence that typically lead to the filing of criminal charges.
Comey said that the agency read all of Clinton’s approximately 30 thousand emails that were delivered to the State Department in 2014. But the FBI Director noted that the bureau had recovered thousands of work-related emails that had not been turnover. Hillary Clinton had insisted that she submitted all of her work related correspondence to the State Department. Comey statement shows the contrary.
Other contradictions are that Clinton first said that she had never sent or received classified information through her personal account and then clarified that her emails did not contain visible detailed contents.
But regarding this topic James Comey said that even if the information was not marked classified in an email, participants who should know that the subject matter is classified are still obligated to protect it.
Of the emails’ turnover to the State Department, 110 emails in 52 chains contained classified information and 8 of those chains involved secret information. 32 chains were classified as secret, and eight were confidential. Other 2 thousand emails were “up-classified to make them secret”, which means they were not considered as sensitive information when they were initially sent.
Clinton and her aides have stated in the past years that she only used a server that had been maintained in her home but for the first time, it was revealed the Hillary Clinton had used multiple different servers during her time as Secretary.
FBI Director it was possible that hostile actors gained access to her email account because her personal email was well known because Secretary Clinton used it extensively while outside the United States, in countries with sophisticated surveillance technology. He added that multiple people that have been in contact with the presidential candidate had been hacked. The private server was not protected by government security staff, and the chances of a security violation to her emails are high.
Hillary Clinton declared she set up the email address for reasons of convenience because it was complicated to have to manage different devices during her activities as Secretary of State.
Mrs. Clinton also said that she did not knowingly send any classified information from her personal account, and her campaign says that her practices were consistent with those of other secretaries of state.
Spokesman Nick Merrill said that Clinton gave a voluntary interview about her email arrangements while she was Secretary and added that she was pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Department of Justice.
The interview occurred at FBI headquarters in Washington DC and lasted nearly 3 and a half hours.
Spokesman Merrill added that Clinton was happy to bring this review to a conclusion and that out of respect for the investigative process, she will not comment further on the interview.
FBI decision is said to defy explanation, ‘No one should be above the law.’
The FBI decision to not charged Hillary Clinton for her email activities has rose discontent among politicians saying that no one should be above the law. Another fact that has fuel controversy is that U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch had an impromptu meeting with the former president Bill Clinton aboard her plane.
FBI Director did not take questions, but he acknowledged in his statement that the bureau recommendation would generate “intense public debate.” Comey defended the FBI work as political and said that only facts matter. The FBI handle the case in a professional way.
Presidential candidate Donald Trump post on Twitter that the system was rigged and that General Petraeus got in trouble for far less. He said that the FBI decision is “very very unfair” and said it was a matter of bad judgment. Petraeus was accused of sharing highly classified information to a woman with whom he was having an affair.
He also tweeted that FBI director said Hillary compromised national securities but still was not charged.
But Trump was not the only to manifest discontent. U.S. House Speaker, and Wisconsin Representative, Paul Ryan stated that Comey’s announcement “defies explanation” and that no one is above the law. He added that declining to prosecute Secretary Clinton for her reckless actions regarding national security information will set a terrible precedent.
Hillary Clinton’s case is now headed to the Department of Justice which has the ultimate decision. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said she would accept the FBI’s recommendation.
Clinton’s spokesman Brian Fallon stated that they are pleased that the career officials have determined that no further action by the Department is appropriate. He added that Clinton has long said it was a mistake to use her personal email, and it will not happen again. He ended the statement saying they are glad that the matter is now resolved.
Source: The Washington Post