As I said in the headline, the TPM Reader email below is a must-read – not because it contains any explosive new information but because the author is a DOJ veteran with top level experience handling high profile public corruption cases. This person knows the intricacies of what is involved in these kinds of investigations, the legal particulars, investigative strategies, the technology involved and how all of it connects up with the procedures surrounding elections.
Feral Trumper chants “Jews-S-A” at reporters in press pen at Trump rally in Phoenix ….
Guy chants “Jew-S-A” in front of press pen pic.twitter.com/2yqgA6dD4k
— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) October 29, 2016
Last night I noted that current news reporting suggests that the FBI has not even determined whether any of the Huma Abedin emails are new – i.e., they have not confirmed how many if any were not already produced and scrutinized by the FBI in the investigation that ended in July. Now we’ve heard from TPM Reader GL (not actual initials) on the amount of time it would take to ascertain such information. According to GL ascertaining how many duplicates there are and a basic review of whether they are relevant to the investigation would likely take only a few days.
I’m writing because I’m hearing news reports (Pete Williams/NBC) that the FBI has said it cannot review the new Abedin/Wiener email production in time for the election. I’m an attorney with over a decade of federal law enforcement experience, currently in a senior role [REDACTED] I have up-to-date eDiscovery experience, and review large document productions, sometimes in the midst of fast-moving litigation and even trial, on a regular basis.
If you’re really into news and digital news publishing and want to get a start in the business, here’s a great job. It’s an entry level or near entry level position as our newest Newswriter. What the job requires is a lot of enthusiasm and smarts and deep immersion (obsession with?) in the news and political news. A sense of humor also required. Is it for you? Does this sound like a great opportunity for someone you know? If so, please check out the full job listing after the jump.
People react hastily and emotionally in moments of drama and stress. In the last hour I have had a number of friends and acquaintances tell me they’re glad I’m thinking more clearly about the Comey matter or revised my views since yesterday. Others have pointed out that I’m now critical of Comey whereas in the past I defended his reputation for non-partisan work.
Let me share a few thoughts on the latest on the emails front.
We have two contending points of view on the case. One group says Comey flagrantly violated longstanding DOJ policy (through multiple administrations) by sending this letter to the Hill. Indeed, we now have multiple reports that Attorney General Lynch told Comey he was acting outside of DOJ policy. In this view, whatever his motivations, he recklessly interfered in a national election based on little more than an effort inoculate himself from future Republican criticism. This view seems backed up by numerous former federal prosecutors from both parties.
Here is one of many truly astounding revelations or rather non-revelations about today’s news. This from the Post ….
Officials familiar with the inquiry said it was too early to assess the significance of the newly discovered emails. It is possible, they said, that some or all of the correspondence is duplicative of the emails that were already turned over and examined by the FBI.
Comey made a similar point in his letter, sent to congressional committee chairmen, saying that the FBI “cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant.”
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Here’s Episode #8 of my new podcast, The Josh Marshall Show. This week, I answer your questions. I hope you like it.
I have always had a great deal of respect for James Comey, going back to decisions he made and actions he took during the Bush administration where he he made principled and correct decisions in opposition to other political appointees. I am not ready to revise my take on him based on today’s announcement or his scathing and unprecedented comments about Secretary Clinton in July.