Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attacked Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during their first presidential debate on Monday in regards to Clinton's email scandal which returned to the news this past weekend.According to "Politico," the FBI released another 189 pagesfrom the report tentatively titled "302" from its investigation into Clinton's use of a private server for her email communications during her time as Secretary of State.
What is revealed in this report is that President Barack Obama may have used a pseudonym to communicate with Clinton and her staff.
The reason is unclear why the President chose such a course of action while speaking to his administration official. This has opened a new set of questions regarding Clinton's judgment.
Clinton confidant became aware President Obamawas using a pseudonym
Huma Abedin, a well-knownClinton confidant, was mentioned quite frequently in this section of the report. At the time, Abedin served on the State Department's staff. She noticed several communications betweenClinton and Obama, however, shedid not know it was the President the former Secretary of State was speaking to at the time.According to the report, after Abedin found out about the identity of the contact, she began asking about the email's classification.
She "then expressed her amazement at the president's use of a pseudonym and asked if she could have a copy of the email."The FBI has since denied that Abedin requested a copy of the exchange.
They have not released any information on the pseudonyms that the president used nor has the administration made a comment about the president's emailswithClintonduring this time.The State Department lawyersrefuse to release details of any conversations citing executive privilege.
President Obama frequently uses this statute to avoid releasing administration documents to the public.
Negative perceptions
Abedin has frequently been cited as having a key role in the HillaryClintonemail debacle that has long haunted the Democrat's presidential campaign. Many of her surrogates have tried to downplay the importance of her use of a private server.This could not come at a worse time for Clinton.
She has struggled with the negative perception of her trustworthiness since the scandal broke earlier this year. A recent Quinnipiac Poll has her at only 31 percent approval with Millennials.
A few other names were mentioned in the newly released pages featuringconversations with various Clinton allies questioned about the emails andserver including frequent ally Sidney Blumenthal, aide Monica Hanley, and her policy planning director Jake Sullivan. A few names were redacted due to "privacy" issue.The report released due to a Freedom of Information Act brought by the government watchdog group Judicial Watch.
