FBI Director Chris Wray told bureau employees that Deputy Director Andrew McCabe resigned because of information contained in a report being compiled by the Justice Department Inspector General on how the FBI handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.
“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on specific aspects of the IG’s review right now,” Wray said in the message. “But I can assure you that I remain staunchly committed to doing this job, in every respect, ‘by the book.’ I will not be swayed by political or other pressure in my decision making.”
In the very next paragraph, Wray explained that McCabe had submitted his intention to retire, suggesting a connection between the findings of the IG report and McCabe’s decision.
Several sources familiar with McCabe’s move said the he made his decision as a result of a meeting with Wray in which the Inspector General’s investigation was discussed.
News that McCabe would leave his role seven weeks before he was expected to retire triggered speculation on Monday that he was being forced to leave under political pressure from President Donald Trump. But several FBI insiders said that was not the case.
Wray threw cold water on that bit of nonsense, while raising the temperature on speculation about the IG report. What could be in that report that would cause McCabe to step down now?
The IG report has been in the works since early last year. Justice Department IG Michael Horowitz is looking at all aspects of the investigation, including the questionable actions of former director James Comey.
Fox News reports, “The investigation is looking at a variety of allegations, including whether it was improper for former FBI Director James Comey to make a public announcement about not recommending prosecution over the email arrangement – he also faulted Clinton and her associates for being ‘extremely careless’ with classified information.”
Also according to Fox News, Horowitz is looking at McCabe’s ties to the Democratic Party and whether he should have recused himself earlier from the probe. McCabe, whose wife ran for state Senate in Virginia and got money from Hillary crony Terry McAuliffe, did so one week before the election.
Documents related to the IG report have already caused quite a stir, including the famous texts between two senior FBI agents connected to the Mueller probe who expressed Trump hatred and talked of a “secret society.”
Perhaps most importantly, the IG probe is looking at whether partisan politics played any role in the FBI investigation of Hillary Clinton.
The report is expected in March or April.
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