Eric Holder: Comey a good man, but he made a serious mistake

by Rebecca Savransky - 10/31/16 7:19 AM ET

Former Attorney General Eric Holder in a new op-ed criticizes FBI Director James Comey for sending a letter last week to lawmakers about the bureau’s decision to review new emails “pertinent” to the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.

{mosads}Holder wrote in The Washington Post that he is “deeply concerned” with Comey’s decision to send such a “vague letter to Congress about emails potentially connected to a matter of public, and political, interest.”

“That decision was incorrect,” Holder wrote.

“It violated long-standing Justice Department policies and tradition. And it ran counter to guidance that I put in place four years ago laying out the proper way to conduct investigations during an election season.”

Holder explained the agency does not normally comment on ongoing investigations. It also has a policy to not take “unnecessary action” close to Election Day that has the potential to influence the outcome of an election.

“These rules have been followed during Republican and Democratic administrations,” Holder wrote.

“They aren’t designed to help any particular individual or to serve any political interest,” he continued, insisting these policies are meant to ensure investigations proceed fairly and are meant to maintain public trust.

Comey, however, did not follow these “fundamental principles,” Holder wrote.

“I fear he has unintentionally and negatively affected public trust in both the Justice Department and the FBI,” Holder wrote.

“And he has allowed — again without improper motive — misinformation to be spread by partisans with less pure intentions.”

Holder said the emails may not be significant, but since the release of Comey’s letter, rumors and conspiracy theories have run rampant.

Holder went on to criticize Comey’s decision in July to hold a news conference regarding the FBI’s decision not to recommend any charges be brought against the Democratic presidential nominee.

“That was a stunning breach of protocol,” Holder wrote. “It may set a dangerous precedent for future investigations. It was wrong.”

Holder said he understands this was a unique situation, adding, however, that the solution was not for Comey “to announce the department’s decision about whether to proceed.”

Holder in the letter offered some praise for the FBI director, calling him a man of “integrity and honor.”

“I respect him. But good men make mistakes,” Holder wrote.

But in this case, Holder said Comey has made a “serious error with potentially severe implications.”

“It is incumbent upon him — or the leadership of the department — to dispel the uncertainty he has created before Election Day,” Holder wrote.

“It is up to the director to correct his mistake — not for the sake of a political candidate or campaign but in order to protect our system of justice and best serve the American people.”

Democrats and Clinton aides have been ramping up pressure on the FBI to release more details about the agency’s review of the new emails.

Aides to Clinton on Sunday called Comey’s three-paragraph letter “disturbing” and “unprecedented” and are pushing the FBI to put everything out on the table as Election Day approaches.

Tags Eric Holder Hillary Clinton