Did Congress Investigate Clinton's Emails?

The question of whether Congress investigated Hillary Clinton's emails is a topic that has often been misunderstood. While Clinton faced intense scrutiny during her tenure as Secretary of State, the investigations into her personal use of a private email server primarily came from the Republican Congress, rather than bipartisan efforts.

The Notion of Investigation by the FBI

It is essential to clarify that the investigation that took place regarding the Clinton emails was conducted by the FBI, not Congress. The FBI initially investigated the personal server used by Clinton, but found no evidence of any wrongdoing except for a lack of proper handling of confidential information. Clinton was exonerated but received criticism for her actions. In stark contrast, Trump's actions have led to more critical investigations and an impeachment process.

Investigations vs. Accusations

The investigations conducted by Congress, particularly by the Republican-controlled committees, were more focused on political motives than on uncovering any significant wrongdoing. The series of investigations spanned over a decade and spanned seven different Republican-led congressional investigations totaling an astounding $11 million. The result of these investigations was consistently the same: no classified information was found to be mishandled, and no laws were broken.

Clarity on the FBI's Findings

The FBI, when examining the security measures and email handling by Clinton, confirmed that no classified information was found. Although some emails were initially labeled non-classified, they were later reclassified, but this did not constitute grounds for an investigation. These findings indicate that while Clinton's actions were considered irresponsible, they did not meet the criteria for criminal charges.

Congressional Response and Needs Improvement

It is important to note that Congress did call for the FBI to assess the security of the email server. The FBI concluded that no classified information was mishandled and the system was secure. At the end of Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State, she was allowed to delete any personal emails, a right granted to all employees. This practice has been seen as another opportunistic political move employed by the Republicans to create a scandal rather than a genuine investigation.

Closing Thoughts

The repeated investigations by the Republican Congress, despite their heavy financial investment, yielded no conclusive evidence that would justify criminal charges against Hillary Clinton. The focus on these emails pales in comparison to the numerous allegations and investigations currently being conducted against President Trump. This highlights the need for more objective and legally sound investigative processes in the future.