FBI director: I am closely involved with Clinton email investigation

by Harper Neidig - 03/01/16 6:16 PM ET

FBI Director James Comey told Congress on Tuesday that he is closely involved in the agency’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was secretary of State.

{mosads}Comey was being questioned by the House Judiciary Committee in a hearing that was intended to address the battle over Apple’s encryption practices. But Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) switched gears during the questioning to press Comey on the progress into the email investigation.

“A few weeks back, the FBI’s general counsel James Baker acknowledged the the FBI is, quote, working on matters related to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server, end quote,” Chabot said to Comey.

Chabot went on to quote White House press secretary Josh Earnest as saying Clinton is “not a target of this investigation and that it’s not trending in that direction.” He also mentioned President Obama’s comments about not seeing any “national security implications” in Clinton’s emails.

“This is a matter of considerable import,” Chabot said. “Is there anything that you can tell us as to when this matter might be wrapped up one way or the other?”

“I can’t, congressman, as you know we don’t talk about our investigations,” Comey responded. “What I can assure you is that I am very close personally to that investigation to ensure that we have the resources we need, including people and technology, and that it’s done the way the FBI tries to do all of it’s work: independently, competently and promptly. That’s our goal, and I’m confident that it’s being done that way, but I can’t give you any more details beyond that.”

Tags FBI Hillary Clinton