State Department Reopens Clinton Email Investigation

WASHINGTON -- The State Department is re-opening its investigation of possible mishandling of classified information in emails by Hillary Clinton and some of her top assistants.

The agency had suspended its investigation in April to avoid interfering with the FBI's inquiry.

The move came as House Republicans grilled FBI Director James Comey at hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday.

They want to know why there was no recommendation to press charges against Clinton for using personal email servers for government business while she was Secretary of State.

The nearly five-hour congressional hearing shows that questions about Clinton's email scandal are far from answered and the controversy itself is far from over.

“I spent nine and a half years as an undercover officer in the CIA. I was the guy in the back alleys collecting intelligence, passing it to lawmakers. I've seen my friends killed. I've seen assets put themselves in harm’s way. This is about protecting information, the most sensitive information the American government has and I wish my colleagues would take this a little more seriously,” remarked Rep. Will Hurd,R-Texas.

Comey fought hard to defend the FBI's recommendation of no criminal charges, saying they could not find evidence Clinton intended to break the law.

But lawmakers pointed out Clinton clearly didn't tell the truth about her handling of her emails on multiple occasions.

“Secretary Clinton said, ‘I did not email anyone on my email. There is no classified material.’ Is that true?” probed Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C.

“No, there was classified material emailed,” answered Comey.

“Secretary Clinton said she used just one device. Was that true?” asked Gowdy.

“She used multiple devices during her four-year term as secretary of state,” Comey replied.

Now the question arises, did Clinton ever make these claims under oath?

Democrats argued she may not have seen the classified markings contained in some emails.

Comey agreed, saying Clinton may not be "sophisticated enough" to understand the meanings of the markings on emails she sent and received.

Meanwhile, House Republicans said Thursday they will ask for a new FBI investigation into whether or not Clinton committed perjury, a felony that could be punished with prison time.

But even if such an investigation led to a recommendation for an indictment, many doubt the Obama administration would ever try to convict her.

“It's not over yet for Mrs. Clinton. She's not out of the legal woods, at least criminally,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch.

“But we shouldn't be naive as to what this Justice Department is going to do because President Obama has already said that Mrs. Clinton has done nothing and I can't imagine they're going to want to look at whether she lied about doing nothing,” Fitton continued. 

Attorney General Loretta Lynch will also testify next Tuesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

She will be questioned about the email investigation, and likely her meeting with Bill Clinton on a Phoenix tarmac.