Kash Patel Alleges FBI’s James Comey Withheld Key Details in 2016 Clinton Investigation
Kash Patel, the former chief investigator for the House Intelligence Committee, recently made bold claims accusing ex-FBI Director James Comey of deliberately hiding crucial elements of the bureau’s inquiry into Hillary Clinton’s actions during the 2016 presidential race.
Patel contends that Comey circumvented established legal protocols and selectively released information in a manner that shielded Clinton while simultaneously targeting Donald Trump’s campaign.
In an interview on Fox News alongside Deputy Director Dan Bongino and host Maria Bartiromo, Patel argued that Comey—who was dismissed by President Trump in 2017—acted beyond his authority by unilaterally deciding which prosecutions to pursue, particularly in relation to Clinton’s controversial use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State.
Patel criticized Comey for bypassing both the Department of Justice and the Attorney General, asserting that his choices regarding prosecutorial actions were partial and politically motivated. He further claimed that Clinton subsequently pushed the Trump-Russia collusion narrative to divert attention away from her own email scandal.
“If you have doubts, the video evidence backs it up,” Patel stated, accusing Comey of intentionally omitting significant investigative findings and twisting prosecutorial decisions during his tenure at the FBI.
Recalling Comey’s infamous July 2016 press conference, Patel highlighted how Comey acknowledged potentially improper conduct by Clinton but concluded that no reasonable prosecutor would pursue charges—a conclusion that sparked widespread controversy. The investigation was controversially reopened just 10 days before Election Day, an event Clinton later suggested contributed to her loss.
Patel and Bongino also denounced the later investigation into alleged connections between Trump’s campaign and Russia, labeling it unfounded and politically driven.
On “Fox & Friends,” Bongino revealed that his office uncovered materials from Comey’s time leading the FBI that had been concealed or improperly archived. Efforts are underway to declassify these documents, though some are restricted due to belonging to other intelligence agencies.
“You’ll be shocked when this information comes to light,” Bongino teased, noting that some documents were found hidden in bags—sidestepping routine FBI record-keeping rules.
While Bongino stopped short of revealing the full contents, he criticized Comey’s recent Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to spell “8647.” The post has been interpreted as a cryptic message aimed at Donald Trump—with “86” meaning to eliminate and “47” referring to Trump as the potential 47th president—but Bongino called the gesture inappropriate and possibly politically motivated.
In summary, the allegations from Kash Patel and Dan Bongino have reignited fierce discussions over the FBI’s conduct during the 2016 election cycle, particularly surrounding James Comey’s management of investigations into Hillary Clinton.
Claims of hidden evidence and selective prosecutorial decisions underscore enduring concerns about transparency, impartiality, and accountability within federal law enforcement. As the declassification process continues, the revelations may significantly influence public perceptions of the FBI and its leadership in the years ahead.