New E-Mails in Clinton Case

Hillary Clinton’s emails have been a source of debate and controversy throughout this entire election, and have recently been closed for additional investigation. After the new emails had been found on one of her aide’s computers, the FBI considered looking at the emails for additional investigation, and many people are upset with FBI Director James Comey for the sudden announcement so close to Election Day. 

    Comey informed Congress by letter of newly discovered emails that might be crucial to the FBI’s investigation of Clinton’s use of a private email server. This has brought Comey much criticism from numerous politicians, including Republicans. Recently, however, the FBI has announced that they will not be investigating the case. This is surprising, since many saw this as an opportunity for Republican candidate Donald Trump to take a lead in the polls.

    More information on the emails has been requested since the announcement was made so close to Election Day, and people are demanding more information be revealed to voters. Many believe that without the additional context of the emails themselves it is unfair to Clinton since very little is being released about the emails. Many think that this is especially unfair to the voters since it is close to the election, and the public knows so little about the content of these new emails. 

    The emails have already been a big problem for Clinton, and the discovery of more emails will not help her. Clinton and Trump have been the most disliked Presidential candidates in modern history. Many voters say they distrust Clinton because of the email scandal. 

    One voter, Allison Gil, believes the situation is complicated. “I think it is obviously going to affect her because a lot of the American population only gets informed by what they read on social media, so if everything that is being put out on social media is negative and saying that she is a lair and all this, then it will obviously affect her.”

    The emails were found on a laptop of ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner. Weiner is the estranged husband of Clinton aide Huma Abedin and is under a separate FBI investigation for allegedly sexting with a minor. This is not the first time that he has been accused of having inappropriate relations with underage children, and the fact that the emails were found as a part of this case is not good for Clinton’s campaign.

    If the FBI had gotten a search warrant, any investigation would not have taken place or have been completed until after Election Day, and by that time Clinton could be the first female President of the United States. Now that the case has been closed for a second time, it is unlikely that anything will happen. 

    Dr. James White, Professor of Political Science, says the situation is complicated, but an interesting story about contemporary politics. “Anytime that the FBI says that you are under investigation that does not make people more likely to vote for you. It makes people who are marginally likely to vote for you to stay home, and makes people who are marginally likely to stay home but are inclined to the other candidate go vote for them,” says White. 

    Since the information about the newly discovered emails was released, Trump created a new ad campaign in the final days of the election that attempts to show Clinton in a negative light by portraying her as unfit to lead. In the ad, Weiner is referred to as a pervert and Clinton’s credibility is questioned. 

    Since the FBI announced that they will not be conducting another investigation of the emails, Comey’s ability as FBI Director is being questioned, which could result in him losing his job, which many believe should happen. 

    It is unknown what could have happened if the emails had been investigated again. Regardless, this controversy could cast a shadow over her, and her ability to fulfill her political goals for the country could be hindered.