A little over a week ago, FBI director James Comey revived 2016's best meme and dragged Anthony Weiner back into the national limelight by announcing that a review of his electronic devices might have revealed more classified emails related to the bureau's investigation of Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email server. Today, James Comey announced, with a similarly short letter released late in the day, that the FBI found nothing new in their review, and that he hasn't changed his opinion regarding his recommendation to not prosecute Hillary Clinton. The circle of emails has now closed.
New Comey letter: FBI has not changed its conclusion regarding Clinton use of personal email server pic.twitter.com/IdKT1gweMf
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 6, 2016
Comey's letter was sent this afternoon, and informed Congress that "Based on our review, we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton." That opinion, if you've forgotten, was that Clinton was "extremely careless" with her handling of the emails but that it didn't reach the standards to be prosecuted. Comey's letter today didn't include any other information, possibly because if early reports are to be believed, it would be deeply fucking embarrassing for him to have to talk about what the FBI found:
Pete Williams on @msnbc rn: They were duplicates or personal/irrelevant. “Nothing new”
— Evan Smith (@evanasmith) November 6, 2016
The letter ends a saga that felt like it stretched out for months, but actually only lasted 10 days. Poll numbers suggest that Comey's announcement of potential new emails to pore over didn't sink Clinton's campaign, it did put her on the defensive as the Democratic Party shifted their focus to expanding their electoral map and winning Senate races.
The letter also caused a war to break out among officials FBI, the Justice Department and former federal prosecutors, with the the latter two blasting Comey's emails letter as being irresponsibly timed and politically-motivated. But at least it also led to an incredible New York Times article in which everyone Anthony Weiner knows talked about what a piece of shit they thought he was.
A Clinton spokesperson said the campaign was confident Comey would always reach this conclusion:
.@HillaryClinton spox on Comey: 'glad' he's reached conclusion they were 'confident' he would. 'glad that this matter is resolved.'
— Heidi Przybyla (@HeidiPrzybyla) November 6, 2016
The Trump campaign has yet to release a statement on the matter, but this morning Trump was at a rally promising that an indictment was coming.
This AM Trump said "Little doubt that FBI director Comey will be able to garner more than enough evidence for indictments against HRC"
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) November 6, 2016
Trump is also currently giving a speech about the emails, apparently unaware of the new Comey letter:
It appears Trump has no idea about Comey's letter. He just told supporters in Minnesota that FBI investigation will lead to criminal trial
— Gabby Morrongiello (@gabriellahope_) November 6, 2016
We don't care what the people say, emails are here to stay.
