FBI Director James Comey between rock and hard place
Decision to probe further emails related to Clinton days before US election has drawn fire, but to have not done so would have been criticised, too
Perceptions of American democracy have been blotted by the bitterness of the contest between presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Those views have been further tainted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation director’s suggestion in the most heated days of the campaign that there could be more of the Democratic Party challenger’s private emails to probe.
The US Department of Justice, of which the FBI is part, takes pains to enforce laws without regard for politics and especially so at election time. But the decision has reinvigorated exaggerated rhetoric from the Republican side and in light of its impact on opinion polls, could also have a bearing on Tuesday’s vote.
Director James Comey informed lawmakers of his move last Friday despite the department’s decades-old policy of limiting disclosure of ongoing investigations involving candidates in the 60 days before an election. Releasing information could influence the outcome of the vote, the reasoning goes, and senior officials agree to those terms when they take office. The tradition is about integrity, impartiality and fairness and is meant to apply regardless of how important it is that justice be done.