Private Email Servers

[MidgardTree]

Much has been said about Clinton’s use of a private email server. After the investigation, it was determined that what she did was wrong, but not prosecutable. My understanding is that she was advised by Colin Powell, who also used a private email server during his tenure as Secretary of State.

I have two questions:

Has Powell been investigated for his use of a private email server during his time as Secretary of State?

Has any legislation occurred since to prevent future Secretary of State’s use of a private email server?

[billfish678]

Nitpick.

I believe Powell used a private email, not a private server. AOL I think.

[Bricker]

@MidgardTree

Much has been said about Clinton’s use of a private email server. After the investigation, it was determined that what she did was wrong, but not prosecutable. My understanding is that she was advised by Colin Powell, who also used a private email server during his tenure as Secretary of State.

I have two questions:

Has Powell been investigated for his use of a private email server during his time as Secretary of State?

Has any legislation occurred since to prevent future Secretary of State’s use of a private email server?

My first comment is:

“Wrong,” is not a useful word. I’d suggest there’s more specificity in saying that it technically contravened guidance, not law, from NARA.

So far as I am aware, Powell was not investigated. But NARA changed regulations after Powell became Secretary of State, and again following Clinton’s assumption of the job.

The regulations in force now are much stronger, and clearer, but they post-date Clinton’s time in the office.

[running_coach]

Politifact

In Clinton’s defense, we should note that it was only after Clinton left the State Department, that the National Archives issued a recommendation that government employees should avoid conducting official business on personal emails (though they noted there might be extenuating circumstances such as an emergency that require it). Additionally, in 2014, President Barack Obama signed changes to the Federal Records Act that explicitly said federal officials can only use personal email addresses if they also copy or send the emails to their official account.