FBI Director James Comey spoke privately with Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Tuesday, the pair’s first meeting since Comey announced a review of emails that may be connected to the bureau’s probe into Hillary Clinton’s email server.
The two discussed “the seriousness of the ongoing matter,” USA Today reported, and they pledged to work together throughout the review, according to ABC News, both citing an official familiar with the situation.
The move was seen as a way to prevent further hiccups ahead of Election Day, though both Republican and Democratic leaders — and Clinton herself — have urged the agency to share more details about the email review.
FBI officials cited by The New York Times did not rule out the possibility of an update before November 8.
Comey reportedly went against Lynch’s recommendation when he announced to Congress on Friday that he was reviewing additional emails that may be related to the investigation into Clinton’s private email server. The announcement caused a political firestorm critics say could influence the election in favor of Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Lynch remains confident in Comey, a Justice Department official told NBC News. Sources described the meeting as cordial.
The emails were found on the computer of former congressman Anthony Weiner during a probe of his illicit communication with a minor. Weiner is the estranged husband of Clinton aide, Huma Abedin.
The Times put into larger perspective the “dark” mood of uncertainty hanging over the FBI amid Comey’s public step. The Times reported that this summer, the FBI “agreed not to issue subpoenas or take other steps” in two cases related to the presidential nominees — one into the Clinton Foundation and another into Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort.
As reported by Business Insider