GOP: FBI wrong about Hillary email investigation influence

The chairman of the Virginia Republican Party is asking the FBI to review Deputy Director Andrew McCabe's involvement in the election campaign of his wife, Jill McCabe, claiming a cursory search of social media turned up evidence of campaign activity the bureau has disavowed.

As WND reported Monday, longtime Clinton adviser and fundraiser Terry McAuliffe made $675,000 in contributions to Jill McCabe's longshot election campaign before Andrew McCabe oversaw the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's handling of classified information and the use of a private email server while she was U.S. secretary of state.

The FBI stated Andrew McCabe "played no role, attended no events, and did not participate in fundraising or support of any kind" in his wife's campaign.

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"Months after the completion of her campaign, then-Associate Deputy Director McCabe was promoted to deputy, where, in that position, he assumed for the first time, an oversight role in the investigation into Secretary Clinton's emails," the bureau said.

However, John Whitbeck, the chairman of the GOP in Virginia, wrote in a letter to FBI Director James Comey that he found evidence to the contrary.

"After a cursory Facebook search, we found photos that clearly depict Mr. McCabe publicly supporting Dr. McCabe's campaign as well as a mailer sent by the Democratic Party of Virginia with Mr. McCabe's picture," Whitbeck wrote.

"These images are in direct contrast with the statement released … by the FBI. In light of the agency's recent history, I formally request that the agency provide a sworn statement from Deputy Director McCabe that he did not attend any fundraisers, rallies, or any other political events with Gov. Terry McAuliffe on behalf of or accompanying Dr. McCabe during her campaign. I also ask that your agency take a second look at any role Deputy Director McCabe played in any investigation pertaining to Hillary Clinton or Gov. Terry McAuliffe."

Whitbeck said that "easily disproven statements such as the one released by the FBI … are a major reason public trust in our institutions has eroded in recent years."

"Furthermore, in light of the news coverage surrounding the Hillary Clinton email case, we request that if there is an inquiry into Deputy Director McCabe's conduct … that the number of immunity deals be dramatically limited. We would hate to see the public's confidence in our system of government eroded to greater degree."

Facebook image of the Andrew McCabe campaigning for his wife:

Jill McCabe last year unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Virginia state Sen. Richard Black, who had won his previous race by 14 points.

The Wall Street Journal, which broke the story, quoted a McAuliffe spokesman who insisted the governor thought McCabe had a chance to win in the Northern Virginia district, centered in Loudoun County.

"Any insinuation that his support was tied to anything other than his desire to elect candidates who would help pass his agenda is ridiculous," said the spokesman.

But Black said Monday in a statement that McCabe should have recused immediately himself from the probe, knowing McAuliffe is a Clinton confidante.

"As an attorney, and a former JAG officer who has had responsibilities over the investigation and prosecution of crimes, I am at a loss to see how the FBI could possibly allow Andrew McCabe to oversee the investigation of Mrs. Clinton’s email server scandals," Black said in a statement. "Mr. McCabe was clearly indebted to the Clinton Campaign because of the support given his wife."

"I was astonished at how much money she was able to raise – $1.8 million. How convenient for your husband to be a high-ranking FBI official with lots of potential influence," he continued.

Former U.S. attorney Andrew McCarthy said in a National Review column that while the decision to recommend against prosecution was made by FBI Director James Comey, not McCabe, the "new disclosures of political and financial ties between the Clinton machine and the wife of the FBI official who oversaw the Clinton investigation is more fuel for the fire."

"Hillary Clinton may win the election in two weeks, but the dark clouds over her are not clearing."

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign called on the FBI to address the issue.

"The fact that this was allowed to occur shows either outright negligent behavior by the FBI or a level of corruption that is beyond belief," Trump senior policy adviser Jason Miller told the Washington Times. "The FBI needs to fully address these issues as soon as possible."

McAuliffe was chairman of Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign then served as a fundraiser and national co-chairman of Clinton’s reelection campaign. Later, he become campaign chairman for Hillary Clinton’s first run for the White House. He also was chairman of the Democratic National Committee for five years, beginning in 2000.

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