A long-awaited report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz on the FBI’s actions during the 2016 campaign has now been released.
The report reviews then-FBI Director James Comey’s key decisions about the Hillary Clinton email investigation, as well as the actions of other Justice Department officials. (It does not focus on the investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia, which is still ongoing.)
Horowitz was appointed to his post by President Obama back in 2012 and has a reputation for nonpartisanship. Inspectors general traditionally operate with a measure of independence from government higher-ups. Furthermore, Horowitz began this review before Trump even took office.
So it would be a mistake to view Horowitz’s report as designed to serve President Trump’s ends. Still, it will be released in a political context dominated by special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe and Trump’s attacks on his own Justice Department. Indeed, Trump has been eagerly anticipating this report, since it was expected to criticize Comey and he is trying to undermine Comey’s credibility. Read the full report below, or at this link.