Call it a November reversal of an October surprise.
FBI Director James Comey told members of Congress Sunday that the agency has not changed its conclusions regarding how Hillary Clinton managed classified information using a private email server when she was secretary of state.
Comey wrote in a letter to lawmakers that the FBI "has been working around the clock to process and review a large volume of emails from a device obtained in connection with an unrelated criminal investigation." Based on that review, "we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton," Comey said.
The letter amounted to a major victory for Clinton and her allies, who were roiled nine days ago when Comey announced that the FBI was investigating new information uncovered on the computer of disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.
Your copy of the full letter:
The reaction was swift.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the letter "should finally close the door on this Republican sideshow."
And from Georgia:
House Speaker Paul Ryan said the FBI investigation was reason enough to question Clinton's judgment. He urged voters to back Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Clinton "simply believes she's above the law and always plays by her own rules," Ryan said. "This is a pattern with the Clintons, and the American people should not have to endure four more years of their scandal and baggage."
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus pivoted to another FBI investigation.
“None of this changes the fact that the FBI continues to investigate the Clinton Foundation for corruption involving her tenure as secretary of state," he said. "Hillary Clinton should never be president.”
Comey's announcement last Friday seemed to sap some support from Clinton in battleground states and energize Republicans in Georgia and elsewhere.
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