On July 21, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released declassified documents from the FBI’s investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure from 2009 to 2013.
The documents, part of the “Clinton annex” from the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General’s 2018 report, suggest the FBI did not thoroughly investigate the matter. Grassley stated, “This document shows an extreme lack of effort and due diligence in the FBI’s investigation of former Secretary Clinton’s email usage and mishandling of highly classified information.”
The release, facilitated by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, includes materials alleging that the FBI failed to review thumb drives containing sensitive information from U.S. government agencies, including the Department of State and potentially President Barack Obama’s emails.
Grassley emphasized the need for transparency, saying, “I warned years ago that the Clinton investigation failed to hit the mark, and I’m grateful the American people can finally see the facts for themselves.”
Allegations of Investigative Shortfalls and Political Influence
The declassified materials highlight specific lapses in the FBI’s handling of the Clinton email investigation under then-Director James Comey.
According to Grassley’s office, the FBI obtained thumb drives with “highly sensitive information” but did not conduct targeted searches, leaving critical evidence unexamined.
Additionally, the documents reference intelligence reports alleging communications between Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), former Democratic National Committee chair, and individuals linked to the Soros Open Society Foundations.
These reports suggested efforts by the Obama administration to limit the investigation’s scope, though the FBI reportedly did not pursue these leads diligently.
In 2016, Comey concluded that while there was evidence of potential violations in Clinton’s handling of classified information, “no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case,” citing factors like intent and historical precedent.
Grassley contrasted this with the FBI’s extensive Trump-Russia investigation, which relied on the discredited Steele dossier, suggesting inconsistent standards.
Context of Transparency and 2016 Election Probes
Grassley’s release coincides with separate claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who on July 18, 2025, alleged that Obama-era officials “manufactured and politicized intelligence” to fuel the Trump-Russia collusion narrative following the 2016 election.
Gabbard’s unclassified documents, submitted to the Department of Justice for criminal referral, aim to expose efforts to undermine Trump’s presidency.
She stated on X, “Their goal was to usurp President Trump and subvert the will of the American people.”
The DOJ confirmed receipt of Gabbard’s referral but provided no further comment.
Both Grassley’s and Gabbard’s actions reflect ongoing efforts to revisit investigations tied to the 2016 election, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and potential political influences in federal agencies. Grassley urged continued review of the Clinton email case, stating, “I appreciate [Bondi and Patel’s] ongoing commitment to transparency and strongly urge them to continue to fully review this matter, including its national security impact,” emphasizing the importance of public access to these records.
