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ASSOCIATED PRESS
The State Department is reopening an internal investigation of possible mishandling of classified information by Hillary Clinton and top aides.
WASHINGTON >> The State Department is reopening an internal investigation of possible mishandling of classified information by Hillary Clinton and top aides, officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Although the former secretary of state’s closest confidants have left the agency, they could still face punishment. The most serious is the loss of security clearances, which could complicate her aides’ hopes of securing top positions on her national security team if she becomes president.
The State Department started its review in January after declaring 22 emails from Clinton’s private server to be “top secret.” It was suspended in April so as not to interfere with the FBI’s inquiry. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the probe is restarting after the Justice Department’s announcement Wednesday that it won’t bring any criminal charges.
“We will aim to be as expeditious as possible, but we will not put artificial deadlines on the process,” Kirby said. “Our goal will be to be as transparent as possible about our results, while complying with our various legal obligations.”
Kirby wouldn’t say anything more about the precise information officials are evaluating. But when the probe was launched almost six months ago, officials said it pertained particularly to a set of emails that were upgraded to one of the nation’s highest classification levels. One question they said they were investigating was whether any of the emails were classified at the time of transmission.
Additionally Thursday, Republican lawmakers said they would now ask the FBI to investigate whether Clinton lied to the committee. That announcement came in a testy hearing with FBI Director James Comey, who defended the government’s decision not to prosecute Clinton over her private email setup.
Clinton was secretary of state until early 2013. Most of her top advisers left shortly thereafter.
But Kirby said this week former officials can still face punishment. Options range from counseling and warnings to the revocation of an individual’s security clearance.
Beyond the Democratic front-runner, the probe is will most likely examine confidants Cheryl Mills, Jake Sullivan and Huma Abedin — who wrote many of the emails to their boss that the various investigations have focused on. Mills, Clinton’s chief of staff at the State Department, has been viewed as a possibility for the same job in the White House. There is speculation that Sullivan, Clinton’s former policy chief, could be national security adviser.
“There could be repercussions,” Kirby told reporters Wednesday, saying infractions identified would be kept on file. If someone’s security clearance is taken away, he said it would have an effect “assuming that individual still needed the clearance to work in another federal agency or something like that.”
The State Department says it won’t identify former officials that still hold security clearances. But in an email Fox News made public earlier this year, the department described Mills as still holding a valid clearance.
LOL!
There’s your democratic front runner. Of course nothing will happen to Hillary. However, I don’t think her accomplices will have that same luxury.
Comey said no investigations on the aides..all pau. Dirty buggahs get off too along with the B I G G E S T buggah.
Shillary should be in jail.
If you viewed Comey today his investigation was limited to intent. If evidence is found outside of this narrow investigation Hillary and Company is not off the hook.
Yes, his investigation or his recommended was based on intent when the law says gross negligence. Intent is not in the law. It was an element inserted by Comey. He in effect rewrote the law to get Hillary off the hook.
Merry Christmas! Good for them because if this was any of “us” we would be in Leavenworth.
Hillary should try out for the next Winter Olympics. She’s the best skater in the world.
Plus if she falls, she has a huge cushion to fall on.
Are you eight years old?
There you go again belittling people. Don’t take it out on kiragirl if Hilliary had a bad day.
kiragirl, you do have a huge point there!
Actually that’s a bullet proof pant suit that makes her look like the oofaloofa lady.
Yes, lespark, a bullet proof pant suit where her brains are most of the time.
James Comey’s performance was simply stellar! I still stand by him as an Upright person. He did a good job! Held his own and his composure. In my mind he has restored all credibility,he may have lost two days ago.
“However”,those Top secret/Classified emails will come back and nip Hillary on the Behind. We all know what she told the media. I did not send Classified material on private server. Which Mr.Comey said that she did! I smell Perjury!
The true Rock star of this hearing was no doubt Sen.Trey Gowdey…… Didn’t waste anytime, he cut through the chase and went straight to the meat and potatoes. Outstanding job!
What was odd for me to hear was the (Frugal)Democrats claiming that this was a waste of time and tax payers money. I’m like,ARE YOU KIDDING ME! They are the very ones responsible who are spending the US into Oblivion! Only when it’s one of there own,it suddenly becomes a……. waste of taxpayers dollars? Cripes!
The State Department announced they are reopening their investigation, so although lying, crooked Hillary is off the hook yet again for her crimes and incompetence, her underlings who put the classified information on her server in the first place will most likely get thrown under the bus and lose their security clearances.
This time the House oversight committee asked the right questions.
Does the FBI need a criminal investigation request from congress in order to pursue the ‘PURGERY’ route? Comey said YES.
State Department re-opens the investigation on Cheryl Mills, Jake Sullivan and Huma Abedin. Mills in particular with her multiple Lawyers and claiming the 5th.
With all these violations there has to be consequences. We the people need justice.
Billy Clinton was impeached for perjury and one of obstruction of justice. The charges stemmed from his extramarital affair with former White House Intern Monica Lewinsky.
What about Hillary ? Likes attract.
This is like a Watergate scandal. Any bets whether Hillary makes it to the General Election ?
More damage control. She lost all credibility. It will take time for her supporters to hold their noses and digest the BS. I hope they get it.
Hillary- “I am confident that I never sent nor received any information that was classified at the time it was sent and received,” she told reporters..
Billy-“I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
Habitual LIARS.
Sigh! Here we go again, another Merry – go – round! Stop and let us off – this is the most ridiculous ride in all the history of a Presidential campaign!
Yep, Hilliary is ad nauseum. Same corruption, different day.
Let Obama continue serving as President for another term – or at least until someone decent runs for the office. We’re the greatest country on the earth and we have to choose between Clinton and Trump. SAD!
Two Dallas cops gunned down in Dallas. Riots in four major cities, terrorist attacks. 4% unemployment? Obama is as worse as it gets.
LOL
She’s not in the clear yet. Vote Trump!
Todays news:
“Wendy’s said hackers were able to steal customer’s credit and debit card information at 1,025 of its U.S. restaurants, far more than it originally thought.”
From what I have read, there is a strong likelihood that Wendy’s data base is more secure than the private server on which Hillary was storing top secret documents.
Hillary claims she used one email device only for convenience. Comey says she used several such devices. I wonder which one of the several she was using in the photo. When Hillary is challenged her lie, I am sure she will say she meant she used only one device at a time because using two at the same time would be inconvenient.