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Ex-DOJ spokesman rips Comey’s treatment of Clinton

by Mallory Shelbourne - 10/29/16 10:26 AM ET

A former Justice Department official on Friday tore into FBI director James Comey, saying his letter to Congress about Hillary Clinton’s email server was his “worst abuse yet.”

{mosads}Matthew Miller, who previously ran the Justice Department’s public affairs office, called Comey’s Friday letter an “inappropriate public disclosure.”

Comey informed lawmakers earlier in the day that his agency had found new emails relating to the investigation into Clinton’s private email server, but provided no further information.

“Today’s disclosure might be worst abuse yet. DOJ goes out of its way to avoid publicly discussing investigations close to election,” Miller wrote in a tweetstorm.

The Clinton campaign has called on the FBI to release full details to the public regarding the investigation. The news that Clinton’s case was under new review comes fewer than two weeks from election day.

“This might be totally benign & not even involve Clinton. But no way for press or voters to know that. Easy for opponent to make hay over,” Miller said.

This is such an inappropriate public disclosure by Comey. And sadly the latest in a long string of them. https://t.co/8MgrH9UKlR

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

Comey refused to even tell Congress if FBI was investigating Trump camp for Russia hack, but regular updates on Clinton are apparently A-ok.

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

I wrote a piece in July on why Comey’s public comments about Clinton were such an inappropriate abuse of power. 1/ https://t.co/G8croz4qWZ

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

He flagrantly violated DOJ rules with his press conference. Then went on to break new ground discussing details of the case to Congress…2/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

Followed by quickly releasing FBI 302’s, something they rarely do, and which I doubt they will do for future high-profile cases. 3/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

Each time, he either violated or seriously stretched DOJ rule & precedent. Press conference was the original sin, & it begat the rest. 4/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

But today’s disclosure might be worst abuse yet. DOJ goes out of its way to avoid publicly discussing investigations close to election. 5/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

Not just public discussion either. Often won’t send subpoenas or take other steps that might leak until after an election is over…6/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

Why? Because voters have no way to interpret FBI/DOJ activity in a neutral way. Who is the target of an investigation? What conduct? 7/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

This might be totally benign & not even involve Clinton. But no way for press or voters to know that. Easy for opponent to make hay over. 8/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

Which takes us back to the original rule: you don’t comment on ongoing investigations. Then multiply that times ten close to an election. 9/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

For whatever reason (& there are many theories), Comey continues to ignore that. But only for Clinton. 10/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

FBI is undoubtedly investigating links between the Russian hack, Manafort, & the Trump campaign. But aren’t commenting on it. Good! 11/

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

They shouldn’t be commenting on investigations! But that should apply to all. Instead Clinton consistently treated differently/worse. 12/12

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 28, 2016

In July, Comey announced that the FBI had completed its investigation into Clinton’s private server, and that it would not be recommending charges be brought against the former Secretary of State.

The New York Times reported Friday that the emails now under review were discovered during a separate investigation into former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), who is married to longtime Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

Miller said Comey ignores protocol only when it relates to Clinton’s case, and not that of her opponent, Donald Trump.

“Which takes us back to the original rule: you don’t comment on ongoing investigations. Then multiply that times ten close to an election,” said Miller.

“For whatever reason (& there are many theories), Comey continues to ignore that. But only for Clinton,” he said.

Tags Donald Trump Hillary Clinton