Former Attorney General Questions Timing Of FBI Letter To Congress
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales questioned the decision of FBI Director James Comey to send a letter to Congress informing them that new emails relating to their investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server were discovered, citing the proximity of the presidential election and the potential adverse impact that such news could have on the outcome.
Gonzales told Chris Stigall on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT that Comey appears to be violating a tradition of avoiding the appearance of interfering with the election of a president.
"It does raise all kids of questions about is there something there and we're just days away from a presidential election and we have a long standing protocol at the Department of Justice that, to the extant such actions could be avoided where you're not in any way potentially effecting the outcome of an election, you should try do so. For the life of me, I don't know what I don't know so I'm just speculating here but I'm trying to understand why this could not have waited because it very well may turn out to be nothing at all. It may turn out to be nothing related Hillary Clinton and for that reason, the timing of it, I just thought was rather awkward."
He also wondered why the letter was sent when so much remains unknown the relevance of the discovery.
"The lack of content raises all kinds of questions. That's why we have these protocols in place, longstanding protocols at the Department of Justice because there are going to be some people that are going to change their vote because of this letter. It's been the longstanding practice and aim of the Department not to be involved in decisions that, in any way, effect the possible outcome of an election. That's why I'm troubled by it."
Gonzales thinks Comey believes he is doing the right thing, but may not have considered all of the consequences that would emanate from his decision.
"Could he be possibly motivated by a desire to somehow effect the outcome of this election? I don't think so. Not the person that I know. But I will say this, he's a man of strong convictions and once he makes up his mind, he moves forward irrespective of any kind of opposition or any kind of disagreement. I've said before, that can be a virtue in public servants but it also can be dangerous because you may think you're right and move forward on a course of action, but you could be dead wrong. I think that when you serve in these positions, you have to have the humility to know that you're imperfect and then when making decisions of the most difficult kind, you're going to make mistakes."
