Hillary Clinton's email crisis is getting worse by the day. Yesterday, a second review of her email account proved once again that the former Secretary of State did in fact store top secret, classified information on her private server. This is against the law. An FBI "A-team," with the prosecutor who took down General David Petraeus leading the way, is investigating her mishandling of classified information.
In a desperate attempt to save her campaign and herself from an indictment, Clinton wrote a note on Facebook about the situation late Tuesday night (bolding is mine).
I wanted you to hear this directly from me:
Yes, I should have used two email addresses, one for personal matters and one for my work at the State Department. Not doing so was a mistake. I'm sorry about it, and I take full responsibility.
It's important for you to know a few key facts. My use of a personal email account was aboveboard and allowed under the State Department's rules. Everyone I communicated with in government was aware of it. And nothing I ever sent or received was marked classified at the time.
As this process proceeds, I want to be as transparent as possible. That's why I've provided all of my work emails to the government to be released to the public, and why I'll be testifying in public in front of the Benghazi Committee later next month.
I know this is a complex story. I could have—and should have—done a better job answering questions earlier. I'm grateful for your support, and I'm not taking anything for granted.
I understand that you may have more questions, and I am going to work to keep answering them. If you want to read more, including my emails themselves, please go here:
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/emails/
Thank you,
Hillary
Further, Clinton launched an entire page on her campaign website dedicated to explaining away the email situation as just one big mistake that we should all forgive her for and move on from.
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Here are the four things you need to know about Hillary Clinton’s email use during her time at the State Department.
-Hillary takes responsibility for her decision to use a personal account, and the challenges it has created.
-Her use of a private email account was allowed under State Department rules.
-Nothing she sent or received was marked classified.
-She provided all of her work-related emails to the State Department.
A few points.
First, an apology doesn't absolve Clinton from breaking the law, which she clearly did by having classified information on her private server.
Second, this wasn't a "mistake." Clinton deliberately set up a private server to remain secretive, to avoid subpoena, to avoid the Freedom of Information Act and because she doesn't think she needs to follow the same rules and laws as everyone else. It's why she paid a State Department staffer to set up and manage the server, who now of course is pleading the Fifth and will not talk to the FBI or Congress.
Third, repeatedly stating that Clinton was "allowed" to use private email is a cynical effort to imply what she did was perfectly legal but regrettable because it's become a political firestorm. Again, Clinton was not allowed under the law to have classified information on her private server, which she did. In fact, there are reports at least 300 pieces of classified information have been flagged on her server thus far and we're just getting started.
Fourth, Clinton misleads Americans by arguing she "provided all of her work related emails" to the government and to the public. How do we know? She deleted 60,000 emails before doing so.
And finally, notice the language used by Clinton as she says "wants to be as transparent as possible" and that she'll "work to" keep answering remaining questions. In other words, she'll continue to provide information she feels should be provided.
This isn't a complex story as Clinton tries to claim. In fact, it's very straightforward. The former Secretary of State put her own priority of avoiding public scrutiny and congressional oversight of her email above the national security of the United States by sending and receiving classified information on a private email account and server. Anybody else who had done the same would have been indicted and on trial by now.
I'll leave you with this:
Pro-tip for @HillaryClinton: "I take responsibility" is not a magical phrase that makes you immune from the consequences of your actions.
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) September 8, 2015
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