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.

Investigators believe Iranian hackers are likely behind cyberattack on Minnesota water systems: report

Ben Sasse’s latest pancreatic cancer update comes amid his stark warning about America’s future

Woman’s death at Boston home owned by Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s husband ruled a homicide: officials

Powerful Democratic Donors Terrified About 2028 Due to ‘Floundering’ DNC: Report

NY Sheriff Defies Kathy Hochul’s New Law That Seeks to Block Law Enforcement from Working with ICE

Colorado small town abandoned after all elected officials resign, water concerns grow

Pro-Trump influencer Laura Loomer shifts toward Ukraine support

Trump questions Thune’s leadership as SAVE America Act stalls

Op-Ed: The First Amendment Isn’t Optional

Army veteran raves over Trump’s plan to ditch illegal alien truck drivers and hire vets

The generational divide over affordability in the Trump economy is all about housing

How One Congressional Resolution Could Save the Midterms: The GOP’s Hindu Vote Gamble

Troy Jackson swapped out Senate campaign official also behind the super PAC backing Abdul el Sayed

Mystery stranger vanishes after family says frantic warning saved their lives during devastating house fire

WNBA Headache Gets Bigger: More Sophie Cunningham Rallies Scheduled

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.