FBI Announces Review Of New Evidence In Clinton Email Investigation
FBI Director James Comey sent the following letter to members of Congress today citing new evidence of "emails that appear pertinent to the investigation."
Update: The new investigation is focused on devices belonging to Clinton aide Huma Abedin and her husband (the two are separated) Anthony Weiner:
[The emails] were discovered after the F.B.I. seized electronic devices belonging to Huma Abedin and her husband, Anthony Weiner. The F.B.I. told Congress that it had uncovered new emails related to the closed investigation into whether Mrs. Clinton or her aides had mishandled classified information, potentially reigniting an issue that has weighed on the presidential campaign and offering a lifeline to Donald J. Trump less than two weeks before the election.
Read Comey's full letter below and check back here for more news as it develops:
Comey's letter, in plain language:
Apparently the investigation was never actually closed (despite that announcement in July):
Why did Comey release the letter now? The law:
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.
[Newsweek]
Clinton campaign chair John Podesta's response:
If you're wondering what this new development will do to the polls, the answer is: probably not much.
