Comey’s disclosure shocks former prosecutors
FBI director’s announcement of new evidence in the Clinton probe compounds criticism of his earlier willingness to discuss the case.
.. “I got a lot of respect for Jim Comey, but I don’t understand this idea of dropping this bombshell which could be a big dud,” said former federal prosector Peter Zeidenberg, a veteran of politically sensitive investigations. “Doing it in the last week or 10 days of a presidential election without more information, I don’t think that he should because how does it inform a voter? It just invites speculation … I would question the timing of it. It’s not going to get done in a week.”
.. “It is not the function of the FBI director to be making public pronouncements about an investigation, never mind about an investigation based on evidence that he acknowledges may not be significant,” Akerman added. “The job of the FBI is simply to investigate and to provide the results of its investigation to the prosecutorial arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. His job is not to give a running commentary about any investigation or his opinion about any investigation. This is particularly egregious since Secretary Clinton has no way to respond to what amounts to nebulous and speculative innuendo.”
.. Another former Justice official said Comey’s letter could be part of an effort on his part to quiet internal FBI critics who viewed him as burying the Clinton probe for political reasons.
.. “He’s come under a lot of criticism from his own people for how he’s handled this. He’s trying to gain back some of their respect,” former Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Pierce said. “His ability to do what he does largely depends on the respect within his own ranks. He often does things because he’s trying to prove his bona fides to his rank and file. I think that’s part of it.”
.. The source also said he doubted Comey would call attention to something that was minor.
“Comey’s not that way. He’s a very practical man. It must be something that goes to the substance,” the ex-agent said. “It can’t be cumulative. He’s not a grandstander… It’s not his style.”
.. Comey took part in a showdown with White House officials over an extension of surveillance program instituted after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
.. Ashcroft also refused to sign, leaving Bush in the position of having to act without Justice Department approval or halt the program while it was redesigned. He chose the latter. The episode guaranteed Comey a place in Washington legal lore and helped make him a popular choice for FBI director. He was confirmed by the Senate in July 2013 in a vote of 93-1.