# FBI is re-opening investigation into Clinton's email **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 28, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950 "2016-10-28T17:57:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/321 "2016-10-30T14:55:14Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Not a re-opening. Not a re-opening. > > YOU’RE the re-opening! This made me smile. That’s worth a lot in these last days! ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/322 "2016-10-30T14:55:55Z")
If these emails should reveal anything about Hillary Clinton’s health that would not be in the scope of this investigation of Clintons private server and therfore would not come to light, right? Does anyone have a time table on when this particular laptop came into the FBI’s hands? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/323 "2016-10-30T15:06:31Z")
Trump lies about Comey, Comey has nothing to say? [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-campaign-leaders-say-comey-acted-unfairly-and-perhaps-improperly/2016/10/29/d50bd28e-9dec-11e6-b3c9-f662adaa0048\_story.html](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-campaign-leaders-say-comey-acted-unfairly-and-perhaps-improperly/2016/10/29/d50bd28e-9dec-11e6-b3c9-f662adaa0048_story.html) **Trump accuses Clinton of ‘criminal action,’ predicts victory: ‘The silent majority is back’** > [@](#): > > …Trump floated his own theories, shifting focus away from his own controversies in the hope of scoring a last-minute surge in an race that even his staff admits he has been losing. > > He said the only explanation for the FBI move is that _“very, very serious things must have been found.”…_ (emphasis added in shock, horror and dismay) Trump says Comey is lying when Comey said that he doesn’t know whats in the mystery box. And Comey has nothing to say about that? Mr. Integrity isn’t bothered by this? Trump takes Comey’s words, turns them inside out, ties them in a knot and covers them with bullshit sauce. and Comey, Mr. Non-partisan Truth, says nothing? Two days and counting now, and Trump wipes his ass with Comey’s reputation as a “straight-shooter”…and Comey is as silent as the sphincter. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/324 "2016-10-30T15:16:21Z")
Good job, Comey. He knows better than to wrestle in the mud with a pig. Comey made his statement to Congress (not to the public) and should refrain from responding to verbal attacks or prods from either side. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/325 "2016-10-30T15:24:22Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Good job, Comey. He knows better than to wrestle in the mud with a pig. > > Comey made his statement to Congress (not to the public) and should refrain from responding to verbal attacks or prods from either side. He should have made a much more neutral/cautious (and informative) statement, like the one I quoted from Josh Marshall’s suggestion above. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/326 "2016-10-30T15:33:15Z")
**John** , the pig is _fucking_ him in the mud. Perhaps a polite objection would be in order? “My dear sir, would you mind terribly removing your pork sword from my ass? If its not too much trouble…” ---
**Author:** ![GulfTiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e79b87/32.png) [@GulfTiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GulfTiger)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/327 "2016-10-30T15:34:42Z")
It seems that Weiner is cooperating. ```auto FoxNewsSunday – Verified account ?@FoxNewsSunday Breaking now on #FNS per @BretBaier -- Anthony Weiner is said to be cooperating with the FBI investigation ``` Maybe this will help speed things up. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/328 "2016-10-30T15:37:24Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > **John** , the pig is _fucking_ him in the mud. Perhaps a polite objection would be in order? > > “My dear sir, would you mind terribly removing your pork sword from my ass? If its not too much trouble…” The FBI director should not get into a public back-and-forth with someone concerning an ongoing investigation. It matters not if his personal reputation is on the line. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > He should have made a much more neutral/cautious (and informative) statement, like the one I quoted from Josh Marshall’s suggestion above. IMO. That may be, but he still should not respond to any carping by either candidate. That would only make things worse. No? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/329 "2016-10-30T15:39:45Z")
> [@GulfTiger](#): > > It seems that Weiner is cooperating. > > ```auto > > FoxNewsSunday – Verified account ?@FoxNewsSunday > > Breaking now on #FNS per @BretBaier -- Anthony Weiner is said to be cooperating with the FBI investigation > > ``` > > Maybe this will help speed things up. Only if he takes his Viagra first! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/330 "2016-10-30T15:42:26Z")
Well, yeah, I take your point here… > [@](#): > > …Comey made his statement to Congress (not to the public)… Probably had _no idea_ that his letter would be publicly released and reacted to. Good catch, there, **John**. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/331 "2016-10-30T15:50:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > The FBI director should not get into a public back-and-forth with someone concerning an ongoing investigation. It matters not if his personal reputation is on the line. > That may be, but he still should not respond to any carping by either candidate. That would only make things worse. No? Coming out with more information would be better, not worse, since his first statement was so incredibly vague. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/332 "2016-10-30T15:51:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Comey made his statement to Congress (not to the public) and should refrain from responding to verbal attacks or prods from either side. Comey’s clear stated _intent_ was to make his statement _to the public_, to the American people - from [his memo](http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-28/leaked-memo-james-comey-explains-why-he-told-congress-about-reopened-clinton-probe) to FBI employees: he sent the letter to large degree because he believed “it would be misleading **to the American people** if we did not supplement the record.” His intent was to make sure that the public knew about this now as he knew it could be of importance in the context of an election and even though he of course did not _want_ to create a false impression, he knew that his action during this point of the election season had “significant risk of being misunderstood.” NO! _Really?_ Do say! It did create a misleading impression and was misunderstood as he pretty much understood it would. He is not an idiot. If such was not his intent then he would have immediately clarified the misleading impressions given and misunderstanding being expressed. In a new letter to Congressional leaders of both parties perhaps if that is his communication conduit to the American people, but immediately. His failure to do so speaks to his clear intent. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/333 "2016-10-30T15:53:18Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, yeah, I take your point here… > Probably had _no idea_ that his letter would be publicly released and reacted to. Good catch, there, **John**. Protocol matters. Of course he knew it would become public. That doesn’t mean he should release it to the public himself. I’m surprised you don’t know that. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Coming out with more information would be better, not worse, since his first statement was so incredibly vague. LEO is vague about ongoing investigation. News at 11. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/334 "2016-10-30T15:57:40Z")
I think there is a good argument to be made that Comey should not have released any information at all given how close we are to the election. I’m more on the side of accepting his explanation, but I can see the argument against it. I just think that the odds of it being leaked were close to 100%, and then the Trump supporters would be, more justifiably, screaming about a cover-up. That would have had a worse (that is, greater) effect on the electorate, IMO. However… I can’t see how things could be improved by him releasing more information when he simply doesn’t know what the conclusion is going to be. I think whatever he were to say now would only make things worse. Better to sit back and ride out the storm. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/335 "2016-10-30T16:15:16Z")
Friend **Lok** has a well-crafted remark about this, which I would have totally stolen if it were not right here in the same forum… > [@](#): > > …Maybe they should just start giving press conferences about people they are considering investigating. > > “We just wanted to let you know we are looking into Congressman Davidson for corruption & child abuse. We don’t actually have any evidence yet, so soon as we get a search warrant and start investigating, we’ll get back to you.” Pip, pip. Good show, that! ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/336 "2016-10-30T16:16:36Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Richard Painter has an [Op-Ed](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/opinion/on-clinton-emails-did-the-fbi-director-abuse-his-power.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region&_r=0) in NYT today that suggests that Comey violated “the Hatch Act, which bars the use of an official position to influence an election”. Of note, this may be a violation even if he was not with intent to influence the election (and he certainly was with knowledge that it could and that how he phrased it would be, in his own words, “misunderstood” by the American people, who it was his intent to inform. Now we care about the state following the law? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/337 "2016-10-30T16:52:51Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Richard Painter has an [Op-Ed](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/opinion/on-clinton-emails-did-the-fbi-director-abuse-his-power.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region&_r=0) in NYT today that suggests that Comey violated “the Hatch Act, which bars the use of an official position to influence an election”. Of note, this may be a violation even if he was not with intent to influence the election (and he certainly was with knowledge that it could and that how he phrased it would be, in his own words, “misunderstood” by the American people, who it was his intent to inform. Well, wouldn’t it be ironic if Comey got charged with a crime that rules out intent when he let Clinton skate because he didn’t see intent in her actions. Iirc, he was asked specifically because part of the law seemed to rule out intent and merely pointed to extreme negligence but he said for a prosecution he would want intent established anyway. Part of the back and forth, again iirc, was Congressman: “but we have laws about reckless driving?” Comey:“Not at the Federal level” ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/338 "2016-10-30T16:59:31Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Now we care about the state following the law? Why attack the [conservative Bush administration official](http://www.fed-soc.org/experts/detail/richard-w-painter), he has no accusation against him, no? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/339 "2016-10-30T17:06:44Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Or this is a non-story, there’s absolutely nothing new here, and the GOP tripped over its own dick trying to spin a routine matter into yet another nontroversy. Nontroversy is such a great word. Add me to the list of people who thinks Comey is not an idiot and he got exactly the reaction to his letter that he was hoping for: Republicans hooting from the top of the monkey house that Hillary Is A Criminal, so get out and vote Republican! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950/340 "2016-10-30T17:49:29Z")
Trump Tweet > [@](#): > > …Wow, Twitter, Google and Facebook are burying the FBI criminal investigation of Clinton. Very dishonest media!.. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-is-re-opening-investigation-into-clintons-email/769950.md?page=18)