Although Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, is not being charged for the email non-issue, as she was not found negligent, Republicans are still whining about it.
The FBI sent some notes from their investigation to Congress yesterday that included a 3 1/2-hour interview.
A statement from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said:
“The F.B.I. has turned over a ‘number of documents’ related to their investigation of former Secretary Clinton’s use of a personal email server. Committee staff is currently reviewing the information that is classified Secret. There are no further details at this time.”
These are classified documents, the notes were given to Congress with the caveat that it must not be leaked. Period.
Well, Congress has done it now.
Some House Republicans have already leaked information from these notes. This is a federal crime under the “Disclosure of Classified Information” law according to the Cornell Law Library. Violating this code could land those responsible in prison for 10 years, or both.
Republicans have been using this email controversy all year against Clinton. They’ve crossed the line now.
The Clinton campaign stepped in and called foul. Joe Podesta tweeted this about the situation:
Already hearing from people who have been contacted by reporters with knowledge of the content of their interviews in FBI 302's. (1/2)
— John Podesta (@johnpodesta) August 17, 2016
Tough protocols on access to FBI's 302's must have included Republican speed dial to reporters. (2/2)
— John Podesta (@johnpodesta) August 17, 2016
The GOP would like to make another scandal for Clinton to take the heat off of the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. His campaign is imploding as we speak.
Of course, they probably don’t see the irony. The Republicans have been trying to assert that Hillary Clinton had leaked classified information from her emails.
The law governing this issue is “18 U.S. Code 798 – Disclosure of classified information.” The disclosure of classified intelligence is mentioned in section 3:
“(a)Whoever knowingly and willfully communicates, furnishes, transmits, or otherwise makes available to an unauthorized person, or publishes, or uses in any manner prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the detriment of the United States any classified information.”
“(3) concerning the communication intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign government;”“Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.”
Featured Image By Veni And Mike Licht Via Flickr/CC By 2.0
