(VOVworld) – The controversy over Hillary Clinton’s personal emails appeared to be closed after the FBI announced it could not recommend an indictment against the former Secretary of State. But one week before the US Presidential election, FBI Director James Comey notified Congress he was reopening the investigation.
|
The FBI announced its new investigation of Hillary Clinton's personal emails
|
On October 28 the FBI revealed its decision to reopen the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails after finding new emails sent from an unauthorized email server in her office. The newly discovered emails were found on a computer formally shared by Anthony Weiner and his estranged wife Huma Abedin, one of Mrs. Clinton’s assistants. The FBI and the New York Police Department are investigating allegations that Weiner, a former New York Democratic congressman, exchanged sexually explicit text messages with a purportedly underage girl in North Carolina.
In a letter to Congress, Comey said the FBI will examine the newly discovered emails and determine whether or not they contain classified information. He did not say how long the investigation will take.
The day after Comey’s announcement, Mrs. Clinton asked the FBI to make details of the investigation public. She said that one week prior to an election, American voters deserve to know everything about the investigation. She insists that her hands are clean and she fully expects the new investigation will not change the result of the previous investigation.
On Friday, Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta said it's extraordinary to release information about an investigation just 11 days out from an election. Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic strategist and advisor to former President Bill Clinton, said Mrs. Clinton’s newly discovered emails could confuse voters. Democratic senator Harry Reid said FBI Director Comey may have violated the Hatch Act, barring political activity by federal employees.
Republican candidate Donald Trump hailed Comey’s revelation, saying it is evidence that Mrs. Clinton is not eligible to run for office. The Los Angeles Times’ latest survey showed Mr. Trump leading Mrs. Clinton 46% to 44.1%. Another survey by ABC/Washington Post showed that over 33% of voters say the new investigation has reduced their support for Mrs. Clinton.