As if any more drama was needed in what may be the most controversial U.S. presidential race ever, the FBI issued a stunning announcement today. Without any prior indication, FBI Director James Comey suddenly informed the media and a select group of politicians that the Federal Bureau of Investigation would reopen the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of private email servers to transmit confidential government information.
As of the time of this publication, it is not yet clear what exactly prompted the renewed investigation, which concluded on July 5th without prosecution. However, it appears that new information found during a separate FBI examination of Anthony Weiner’s sexting files, has precipitated the FBI’s reopening of the Clinton investigation. Weiner’s wife, Huma Abedin, is a longtime aid and confidant of Hillary Clinton.
‘Pertinent to the Investigation’
In a tweet by Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), he stated: “FBI Dir just informed me, ‘The FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation.’ Case reopened.”
FBI Dir just informed me, “The FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation.” Case reopened
��” Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) October 28, 2016
The renewed investigation is likely to affect some voters, especially those undecided or independent voters who have trended toward Donald Trump over the past week, shrinking Hillary Clinton’s lead from 12% to just 4% as of this morning, before this announcement.
BleachBit and Hammers
The investigation centers around the transmission of government-related information, some classified, through Clinton’s private email server, rather than through the State department’s official, secure servers. At the time, Clinton was serving as U.S. Secretary of State.
Clinton deleted approximately 30,000 emails, many with the use of BleachBit, a software application designed to erase email files in a manner that precludes recovery. Clinton’s staff also physically destroyed smartphones containing some of those emails, with hammers. Some of the data deletion occurred even after Clinton was served with a subpoena by the FBI. Key members of their IT staff who participated in the email deletion and destruction have used their 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination during FBI hearings.
The U.S. Presidential election is set for November 8, making the timing of today’s announcement particularly significant.
