FBI says Hillary Clinton was extremely careless in handling sensitive data
FBI Director James B. Comey said Tuesday that his agency will not recommend criminal charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server as secretary of state, but called Clinton and her staff “extremely careless” in handling sensitive data.
Comey said the FBI investigations into thousands of emails by Clinton determined that “no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case.” The findings now go to the Justice Department.
The announcement — which came only about 72 hours after FBI agents interviewed Clinton — in some ways lifts the cloud that has been hanging over Clinton’s presidential campaign for months.
But it will almost certainly spark criticism that the outcome of the high-profile probe was a foregone conclusion, influenced heavily by political considerations.
Comey said Justice Department prosecutors also must make a final determination, though he was unequivocal in stating his view.
“We are expressing our view to Justice that no charges are appropriate in this case,” he said.
The timing will provide fodder for Clinton’s opponents.