Comey’s Draft Statement Exonerating Clinton Two Months before Her FBI Interview Was Not Normal Protocol

WASHINGTON — “This is the only time I am aware of, sir.” “I have not seen that before, sir.” “I’ve never seen that.”

These are just some of the words utilized by former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe when asked during closed door testimony about an email penned by disgraced ex-FBI chief James Comey circulating a draft statement exonerating Hillary Clinton in the private email server case a full two months before the FBI interviewed Clinton and other witnesses in the criminal probe.

Documents previously released by the FBI show that Comey on May 2, 2016 sent the email in question to McCabe, FBI general counsel James Baker and chief of staff and senior counselor James Rybicki. Clinton was interviewed by the FBI on June 2, with Comey later testifying that she was not sworn in and that the interview was not recorded.

Two months before Clinton’s FBI interview, Comey circulated the draft statement testing language to be used for not recommending charges against Clinton.

Former Rep. Bob Goodlatte, who served as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee at the time of McCabe’s December 21, 2017 testimony, read aloud Comey’s email. A transcript of the testimony was released three weeks ago by House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Doug Collins, R-Ga, although the portion in question did not receive media attention.

Louisiana racetrack ICE raid nets more than 80 illegal migrants during worksite enforcement operation

Bryan Kohberger judge could slap contempt charges on leakers: Idaho-based lawyer

Biden-appointed judge blocks Trump’s move to only allow two genders on US passports

Border czar Tom Homan reveals unprecedented success in Trump’s border strategy

Virginia Democrats choose nominee to challenge GOP Attorney General Jason Miyares

Florida attorney general held in contempt after challenging court’s block on immigration law

US Embassy in Jerusalem to close until Friday as Israel-Iran conflict rages

Former Democratic Senator Begins 11-Year Federal Prison Sentence

Days After Deadly Crash that Killed 241, Air India Pilot Turns Flight Around After Noticing Issue

Thune warns Iran should return to negotiating table ‘if they’re smart’

New York Dem accused of ‘staged’ arrest after being released by federal authorities within hours

Illinois teacher indicted on 52 additional charges in student sexual abuse case

Virginia Republicans pick radio host to run alongside Winsome Sears in race to replace Youngkin

Explainer: What Exactly Is the ‘Bunker Buster’ Bomb That’s Been in the News?

Key Member of Trump Administration Hospitalized: Breaking Report

Goodlatte read Comey’s email as follows:

The penultimate paragraph of the May 2 draft reads as follows: Accordingly, although the Department of Justice makes final decisions on matters such as this, I am completing the investigation by expressing to Justice my view that no charges are appropriate in this case.

Goodlatte noted that “this paragraph is virtually identical to what Director Comey eventually said more than 2 months later on July 25, 2016, in recommending no charges against Secretary Clinton. It seems to confirm that the FBI, including the Director, had made up its mind not to charge Secretary Clinton before interviewing her.”

McCabe disputed that characterization, retorting, “It may seem that way reading it now. But I know that Director Comey had not made up his mind at that time.”

is no evidence that Comey tested language to use if charges were to be filed against Clinton. Indeed, McCabe admitted as much when he was asked whether Comey similarly prepared a statement recommending charges in the Clinton email case.

McCabe then repeatedly stated that he is not aware of any other precedent similar to Comey’s draft statement against recommending charges two months before Clinton was interviewed.