Hillary Isn’t Out of the Email Woods

I am not as outraged as some over the FBI’s failure to recommend criminal prosecution of Hillary Clinton, in part because I am glad she is still the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. While Hillary no doubt breathed a sigh of relief at not being indicted, her recklessness in handling national security information will continue to dog her. If you haven’t yet watched Rep. Trey Gowdy’s brief questioning of James Comey this morning, in which Comey repeatedly said that statements made by Hillary were not true, you should do so. This is great fodder for campaign ads.

But the trouble doesn’t stop there. Rep. Jason Chaffetz asked the FBI director whether Mrs. Clinton lied to Congress; Comey replied that the FBI has not investigated that question:

“I don’t think there’s been a referral from Congress.”

“Do you need a referral?” Mr. Chaffetz said, appearing incredulous.

“Sure do,” Mr. Comey said.

“You’ll have one,” Mr. Chaffetz promised.

So there is another investigation of slightly different questions that apparently will be launched promptly.

Now, the Associated Press reports that the State Department is reopening its investigation into mishandling of classified information by Mrs. Clinton and her staff:

The State Department is reopening an internal investigation of possible mishandling of classified information by Hillary Clinton and top aides, officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Although the former secretary of state’s closest confidants have left the agency, they could still face punishment. The most serious is the loss of security clearances, which could complicate her aides’ hopes of securing top positions on her national security team if she becomes president.

The State Department started its review in January after declaring 22 emails from Clinton’s private server to be “top secret.” It was suspended in April so as not to interfere with the FBI’s inquiry. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the probe is restarting after the Justice Department’s announcement Wednesday that it won’t bring any criminal charges. …

Clinton was secretary of state until early 2013. Most of her top advisers left shortly thereafter.

But Kirby said this week former officials can still face punishment. Options range from counseling and warnings to the revocation of an individual’s security clearance.

The bottom line is that Hillary will remain under investigation at least until November, and the headlines and disclosures will continue. The fallout from her bizarre indifference to national security isn’t going away.

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