John Durham, the Special Counsel, has recently delivered a report that presents new aspects regarding the FBI’s management of investigations involving Hillary and Bill Clinton.
The highly anticipated report shared specifics about several investigations that were abruptly stopped just prior to the 2016 presidential elections. With the release of this report, a number of Republicans are calling for these halted investigations to be reopened.
While Durham’s thorough investigation did not uncover any condemning evidence against the Clintons or their foundation, some Republicans are using this report to reexamine incidents that have already been extensively scrutinized.
A spokesperson for the Clinton Foundation strongly refuted any allegations of wrongdoing, highlighting that the Durham report only underscores the lack of evidence supporting these allegations. The spokesperson also noted previous inquiries by the Justice Department during Trump’s tenure and by House Republicans in 2018, both of which concluded without any findings of misconduct.
The report details how the FBI launched an investigation in 2014, following a tip from a covert informant about potentially unlawful donations from two foreign governments to Hillary Clinton’s campaign in exchange for special benefits.
The informant provided evidence of an unlawful $2,700 donation, allegedly leading to a larger contribution. In 2016, three FBI field offices – in Washington, DC, Little Rock, Arkansas, and New York – initiated investigations into possible illegal activities tied to the Clinton Foundation.
Although these investigations made progress, they were abruptly ended by senior officials, as per Durham’s report. This revelation has prompted Republicans, both current and former, to demand a reevaluation of the alleged criminal activities linked to the Clintons.
Matt Gaetz, a Republican Representative from Florida and member of the subcommittee responsible for investigating political bias in the FBI, voiced his concerns about the Clintons. Gaetz suggested that there might be individuals within the FBI trying to shield the Clintons from potential criminal charges. Similarly, Jason Chaffetz, a former Republican congressman and former chair of the House Oversight Committee, criticized the FBI for its alleged neglect and called for the reinvestigation of the Clintons.
The 316-page report, delivered to Attorney General Merrick Garland on May 12, provides a detailed look into the FBI’s investigations into the Clintons. It highlights a clear disparity between the thorough investigation into Trump’s alleged connections with Russia and the seemingly relaxed approach towards the Clinton investigations.
