Declassified files reveal FBI shortcomings in Hillary Clinton email probe

Declassified documents just dropped a bombshell about the FBI’s handling of Hillary Clinton’s private email server debacle.

Under the leadership of Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley, newly released files expose what many conservatives have long suspected: a stunning lack of rigor in the FBI’s investigation into Clinton’s email practices during her time as Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, as Fox News reports.

These documents, part of an appendix to a 2018 Department of Justice Inspector General report, were declassified at Grassley’s request with the help of Attorney General Pam Bondi and other Trump administration officials. They paint a picture of an investigation that barely scratched the surface. It’s almost as if the FBI thought “good enough” was good enough.

Uncovering investigative flaws

The files detail how the FBI, under then-Director James Comey, obtained thumb drives packed with sensitive data related to Clinton’s server but failed to conduct deeper searches. We’re talking about information allegedly pulled from U.S. government agencies, including the State Department and even then-President Barack Obama’s emails. Yet, somehow, these drives gathered dust instead of scrutiny.

Clinton was under investigation for potentially mishandling classified materials on her private server — a serious charge for any public official. But in 2016, ahead of her presidential run against Donald Trump, the FBI advised the Department of Justice not to prosecute. Turns out, some decisions are easier to sweep under the rug than others.

“Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case,” Comey said at the time. How convenient—a judgment call that just happens to shield a high-profile figure. Many on the right see this as less about legal nuance and more about political protection.

Grassley slams FBI’s poor efforts

“This document shows an extreme lack of effort and due diligence in the FBI’s investigation of former Secretary Clinton’s email usage and mishandling of highly classified information,” Grassley declared. His frustration is palpable, and for good reason. Conservatives have long argued that the scales of justice tip differently depending on who’s being weighed.

The declassified files also hint at deeper political games, including intelligence suggesting ties between Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, then-chair of the Democratic National Committee, and individuals linked to the Soros Open Society Foundations. The FBI, however, didn’t dig into these allegations with any real gusto. It’s hard not to wonder if some investigations are just for show.

Grassley didn’t hold back, stating, “Under Comey’s leadership, the FBI failed to perform fundamental investigative work and left key pieces of evidence on the cutting room floor.” That’s a polite way of saying the FBI dropped the ball—and conservatives are left asking why certain probes get the full-court press while others get a shrug.

Contrasting probes raise eyebrows

Adding fuel to the fire, Grassley pointed out the stark difference between the FBI’s kid-glove approach to Clinton and its aggressive pursuit of the Trump-Russia collusion narrative. “Comey’s decision-making process smacks of political infection,” he charged. For many on the right, this double standard is the real scandal.

Further allegations in the documents claim the Obama administration worked to derail the Clinton investigation to protect her candidacy. Yet, the FBI didn’t pursue these leads with any meaningful effort. It’s a bitter pill for those who value equal application of the law.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has also entered the fray, releasing separate unclassified documents alleging that Obama-era officials manipulated intelligence to push a narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election. “Their goal was to usurp President Trump and subvert the will of the American people,” Gabbard asserted. That’s a serious charge, and one that resonates with conservatives tired of establishment overreach.

Calls for transparency, accountability emerge

Grassley expressed gratitude for the declassification, noting, “After nearly a decade in the shadows, this information is now coming to light thanks to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel’s dedicated efforts.” Still, he’s not ready to call it a day. He’s pushing for a full review of the national security implications of this fiasco.

Efforts to get comments from Clinton’s office, Wasserman Schultz’s office, the Soros Open Society Foundations, and the Kettering Foundation, where Comey now serves as a senior fellow, yielded no immediate responses. Silence can speak volumes, and in this case, it leaves more questions than answers. For conservatives, it’s just another sign that accountability remains elusive.

As this story unfolds, many on the right are left shaking their heads at what they see as a pattern of selective justice. The contrast between investigations — Clinton’s apparent free pass versus the relentless pursuit of Trump — fuels a growing distrust in federal institutions. If nothing else, these declassified files remind us that transparency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity for a functioning republic.