Comey: I Had to Disclose New Hillary Emails

FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday defended his decision to send a letter 11 days before the 2016 presidential election to congressional leaders revealing that the agency had discovered new emails relating to Hillary Clinton’s private email server. Testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Comey said it would have been “catastrophic” if he did not. The decision to do so has riled Democrats, particularly those in Clinton’s campaign, who have argued that Clinton lost the election in part due to Comey’s revelation. Clinton echoed that belief on Tuesday, saying she would have won the election if it were held before Comey sent the letter to Congress. He acknowledged, though, that he was faced with two terrible decisions, and that sending the letter was still “really bad.” Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, responded almost immediately to Comey, criticizing him for not revealing the existence of an investigation into Russian meddling: “Real choice was not conceal or speak. Comey spoke about Clinton & concealed Trump invest. Real choice was to abide by DOJ policy or violate.”