Clinton aides, including Huma Abedin, interviewed by FBI in emails inquiry

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

published 6 May 2016

The FBI has quietly interviewed some of Hillary Clinton's top aides over the past few weeks as they pursue their investigation of Clinton's use of a private email server when she was secretary of state, U.S. officials told CNN and several other news outlets on Thursday. Those interviewed reportedly include Huma Abedin, Clinton's longtime adviser, and investigators from the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia hope to interview Clinton herself in coming weeks. The inquiry is focused on the security of Clinton's server and her handling of classified information, and such interviews are reportedly routine in such an investigation.

Federal investigators "have so far found scant evidence that the leading Democratic presidential candidate intended to break classification rules," The Washington Post reports, and "the involvement of the U.S. Attorney's Office is not indicative that charges are imminent or even likely. One official said prosecutors are wrestling with the question of whether Clinton intended to violate the rules, and so far, the evidence seemed to indicate she did not." The investigation is not over, however, and there is no deadline for its completion.

Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon downplayed the leaks. "From the start, Hillary Clinton has offered to answer any questions that would help the Justice Department complete its review, and we hope and expect that anyone else who is asked would do the same," he said in a statement. "We are confident the review will conclude that nothing inappropriate took place."

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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.