DOJ watchdog report expected to criticize McCabe over media disclosures: report

A report from the Justice Department’s inspector general will criticize former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe for allowing agency officials to provide information about an ongoing investigation to the media, The New York Times reported Thursday.

McCabe reportedly authorized FBI officials to provide information to The Wall Street Journal in its investigation into how the agency handled the probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of State.

The deputy director allowed officials to discuss a meeting detailed in an October 2016 Journal report, during which some top Department of Justice (DOJ) officials reportedly decided against authorizing a grand jury or subpoenas in the Clinton investigation.

{mosads}

The Journal report also cited sources, including one “close to McCabe,” who said McCabe had claimed the FBI had the ability to continue with the investigation into the Clinton Foundation during a heated conversation with a senior DOJ official.

The inspector general report will conclude that McCabe had signed off on agency officials talking to the Journal for the story, and that the FBI’s public affairs office had set up a phone call to talk about the case, according to the Times.

This new report comes amid attacks by President Trump on the FBI, which he has claimed is biased against him in the probe into Russia’s election interference.

McCabe stepped down from the position earlier this year after facing pressure from Republicans and Trump. He is currently on leave with plans to retire in mid-March, when he is eligible to receive his full pension benefits.

GOP members tied to Trump had accused McCabe of bias in his handling of the Clinton email probe, and Trump had also openly attacked the top FBI official.

McCabe stepped down after being pressured to do so by FBI Director Christopher Wray, who had concerns about the impending inspector general report, the Times reported earlier this year.