When the US FBI Director James B. Comey revealed that his agency has reopened investigations into Hillary Clinton’s use of her family’s private email server, a nation was jolted. Hillary who was until now in the lead for the presidency, lost her12-point lead overnight with about a week for the elections. The case pertained to her use of private server for official communications during her tenure as the Secretary of State. She chose not to use the official State Department email accounts maintained on federal servers. The FBI had earlier cleared her in the case in July which she proudly mentioned in the TV debate as she responded to her opponent Trump who wanted to jail her for this.
Unfortunately for her, the case has been reopened subsequent to a sex chat of a former congressman Anthony Weiner with an underage girl. This man who lost his Congressional seat happens to be the estranged husband of Huma Abedin, Hillary’s closest aide. An FBI search revealed emails linked to Hillary’s private server case. About 1000 emails relevant to Hillary’s official communication were found on the computer of Weiner, who describes himself as being chronically horny.
The recent action of the FBI director in revealing that the investigation has reopened, has raised a controversy. Harry Reid, the Senate Democratic leader said the FBI chief was breaching the Hatch Act which forbid federal officers from any political activity. While Comey’s actions can be endlessly debated to interpret its legality, the question raised is ‘Was he morally right?’, irrespective of the law.
Hillary’s campaign was riding high on FBI’s earlier redemption, given the fact that the private server issue was the only weak point of her otherwise flawless persona and campaign. The FBI had only reopened the case on newer developments and thus had a primary duty of recalling the clean chit. The welfare and prospects of a nation are more important and paramount, even if it means breaking a law. This case should stand out as a model case for federal officers when they are faced with a dilemma between law and ethics.
The carelessness of a presidential candidate when it comes to issues of national security, is something that needs to be placed in public domain. The population of a nation should not go to the poll booths, without knowing the dark secret about their candidates, as and when they are unearthed. James Comey had done an unprecedented national service by revealing the developments in the case.
The laws of a nation are formed only with regard to general functioning, and may not hold good for certain specific situations. Officials like Comey need to decide on a case-by-case basis. Take for instance a patient with an incurable disease. The physician has the duty to maintain confidentiality of the patient information. The confidentiality is expected to be maintained only as long as the patient acts responsibly and ensures the well being of his circle. However if this patient indulges in activities that could transmit his disease to innocent acquaintances, then the physician needs to step in and call it a day.
Hillary’s activities need to be put up before the public for their careful analysis. Although the timing is unfortunate and could dent her image and chances, Hillary sadly deserved this. Her sin in deciding to avoid the official server for reasons known only to her and Weiner’s sin has combined like two negatives that bring out a positive effect.
