Congressmen Gaetz, Biggs, and Gohmert Launch Investigation into FBI’s “Special” Treatment of Hillary Clinton During E-mail Investigation

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) this week sent the following letter to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Christopher A. Wray asking for an investigation to be launched into the FBI’s treatment of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Donald Trump during the 2016 election cycle. Specifically, Rep. Gaetz is calling for information about former Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe’s statement that the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton’s misuse of a personal email server was “referred to as ‘special’” and that “the decision was made to investigate it at HQ with a small team.”

Cosigners of the letter include Congressmen Andy Biggs (AZ-05) and Louis Gohmert (TX-01), both members of the House Judiciary Committee.

The Congressmen have requested answers to their questions prior to FBI Director Wray’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on December 7th, 2017.

The full text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Director Wray:

We write this letter to launch our investigation into the FBI’s treatment of Hillary Clinton and President Donald Trump both during and immediately following the 2016 election.

As you are aware, the FBI has recently released emails in which the Hillary Clinton email investigation was called “special” by current FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. The substance of these emails triggers the oversight function of the Judiciary Committee upon which we serve. Specifically, special treatment for any American undermines the cherished principle of equal treatment for all under the rule of law.

In July, the FBI opened an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email server. Mr. McCabe, as WFO ADIC, claims he was “not consulted” about the investigation and “not given any details.” However, in a seemingly-contradictory statement, he does admit to “providing some personnel” for the investigation. Most troubling is McCabe’s admission that the investigation was “referred to as ‘special’” and that “the decision was made to investigate it at HQ with a small team.”

Additional events during this time period create a troubling context:

1. Then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch meeting alone with former President Bill Clinton on a private jet while investigating his wife;
2. Lynch directing then-FBI Director James Comey to call the Clinton email investigation a “matter” rather than an “investigation;”
3. Comey separating the Clinton investigation from the Washington Field Office and normal procedures for investigations, and, as Mr. McCabe’s emails state, making “the decision […] to investigate it at HQ with a small team”;
4. Comey drafting a statement exonerating Hillary Clinton prior to conducting key elements of the investigation, such as interviewing witnesses, including Ms. Clinton herself;

These facts require us to ask the following:

1. Can you define the meaning of “special,” as it pertained to the Hillary Clinton email investigation?
2. Who approved of the “special” status of this investigation?
3. Who decided that the investigation would be handled “at HQ with a small team” rather than by the Washington Field Office?
4. What processes are in place at the FBI to ensure that “special” treatment is not given to other political figures?

We also remain troubled regarding the FBI’s treatment of President Trump both before and after his election. Specifically, we are concerned about the dossier prepared by Fusion GPS and funded, at least in part, by the Democratic National Committee. Mr. Comey referred to the dossier as “salacious and unverified,” yet much remains unknown about its utilization and procurement. We ask directly:

1. Did the FBI, directly or indirectly, pay for the dossier or reimburse Christopher Steele or Fusion GPS for preparing the dossier?
2. Has the dossier been used to obtain FISA warrants to conduct surveillance on American citizens?

Given the serious nature of these issues, we hope that you will provide responses to these questions prior to your upcoming testimony before the Judiciary Committee. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Matt Gaetz                                    Andy Biggs                                      Louie Gohmert

FL-01                                            AZ-05                                              TX-01

Member of Congress                    Member of Congress                      Member of Congress