Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has released newly declassified documents that claim the FBI under James Comey neglected key evidence in the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server use and classified information handling.
The documents suggest the FBI failed to conduct a thorough investigation, leading to the omission of critical evidence, which Grassley described as a lack of due diligence. He stated, “This document shows an extreme lack of effort and due diligence in the FBI’s investigation of former Secretary Clinton’s email usage and mishandling of highly classified information.” Grassley’s remarks were part of a press release that detailed his findings.
Grassley’s release highlights the FBI’s supposed negligence, stating that the agency did not perform targeted searches of thumb drives obtained during the investigation. These drives reportedly contained highly sensitive information, including emails from then-President Barack Obama and potential congressional data. Grassley’s release was prompted by his request for the information, which was provided by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel.
The documents also indicate that the FBI did not take serious investigative steps into intelligence reports suggesting the Obama administration attempted to undermine the Clinton investigation and protect her candidacy. Grassley emphasized the importance of transparency, thanking Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel for their efforts to fulfill his congressional request.
This scrutiny of the FBI’s handling of the Clinton case comes amid ongoing investigations into the agency’s conduct, with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently claiming that Obama-era officials politicized intelligence to support the Trump-Russia collusion narrative. Gabbard has referred the matter to the Department of Justice for criminal consideration, raising concerns about the integrity of the democratic process.
As these revelations continue to unfold, the implications for the FBI’s credibility and the broader political landscape remain significant. The declassified materials and ongoing inquiries underscore the need for accountability and transparency in governmental investigations, particularly those involving high-profile political figures.