Reports of FBI Clinton Foundation investigation, looming indictment 'just not true,' reports NBC's Pete Williams
On Wednesday night, The Wall Street Journal reported on bitter infighting between some FBI field agents and their superiors at the FBI and Department of Justice over whether to pursue an initial inquiry about the Clinton Foundation, based on an anti-Clinton book, and Fox News reported that an indictment was likely in the case, citing two anonymous sources. Donald Trump has been citing that report at his rallies, even as Fox News' Bret Baier walked it back a bit, noting that the FBI can't indict people, among other problems. These leaks come amid reports that a group of FBI agents, especially in the New York field office, are strongly pro-Trump and hostile to Hillary Clinton.
On MSNBC Thursday, NBC justice correspondent Pete Williams carefully poured cold water on at least the Fox News reports. When Chuck Todd asked him about the status of the Clinton Foundation investigation, he said: "There really isn't one, if you want to call it an investigation. That's a term of art in the FBI. There was an initial inquiry that was opened a couple of months ago based largely on media reports and a book called Clinton Cash, and there were some initial things done in that. But FBI officials tell me there's been virtually no movement on that case for the last several months. So this idea that there are indictments near or something like that, I am told, is just not true."
The Fox News report also alleged that there's a high probability that five foreign entities breached Hillary Clinton's private email server, and Williams said "I am told that there is no such view" at the FBI. That doesn't mean there was no breach, he added, just that they "found no positive proof of any successful hacks." Todd asked Williams what FBI officials think about all the leaking going on, especially since it seems partisan. "Are they comfortable with all this innuendo that's being based on FBI sources?" he asked. "Well, they don't like it, certainly, but they don't believe that the answer is to come out and say anything," Williams said, chuckling. "I think many of them feel like they said enough last Friday." Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Russians start to vote in election Putin will win
speed read Putin's opponents are mostly in prison, exiled or dead
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Schumer slams Netanyahu, calls for new leader
speed read The senator — one of Israel's most avid supporters — criticized the country's handling of the Gaza war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Dakota governor sued over Texas dentist promo
speed read Gov. Kristi Noem posted a video testimonial that may have been an "undisclosed advertisement"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hur defends description of Biden's 'poor memory'
speed read Former special counsel Robert Hur defended disparaging remarks made about Biden's age in his report
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pentagon's surprise $300M for Ukraine
speed read The Pentagon is giving $300 million worth of military aid to Ukraine, mostly for ammunition
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump clinch nominations
speed read The current and former president have each secured enough delegates for an election rematch
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti leader agrees to exit amid growing chaos
speed read Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies fold RNC into Trump campaign
speed read The new leaders of the Republican National Committee fired more than 60 of the RNC's 200 employees
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published