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Probe Into Clinton Email Investigation Could Be a Trap For Robert Mueller

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(Via USA Today)

WASHINGTON — In early January, news that the Justice Department’s inspector general launched an investigation into the government’s disputed handling of the Hillary Clinton email inquiry was quickly overtaken by the chaotic run-up to President Trump’s inauguration.

Nearly a year later, Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s wide-ranging review of the FBI and Justice’s work in the politically-charged Clinton case now looms as a potential landmine for Russia special counsel Robert Mueller.

For months, Horowitz’s investigation — which has amassed interviews with former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former FBI Director James Comey and other key officials — had been grinding on in near anonymity. That is, until earlier this month when the inspector general acknowledged that Mueller was alerted to a cache of text messages exchanged between two FBI officials on his staff that disparaged Trump.

The communications, involving senior counter-intelligence agent Peter Strzok and bureau lawyer Lisa Page, were gathered in the course of Horowitz’s internal review of the Clinton case, which Strzok also helped oversee. Horowitz’s investigation is not examining Mueller’s operation. But the disclosures already have provided a hammer to Trump loyalists who are escalating their criticisms of the legitimacy of the special counsel’s inquiry.

Earlier this month, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein only highlighted the potential gravity of the inspector general’s work when they repeatedly urged Republican House committee members during separate hearings to withhold judgment about allegations of bias within the FBI until the internal Justice probe is completed.

Justice officials have indicated that a report is likely in the next few months.

“The inspector general’s investigation is very important,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., told Rosenstein at a Dec. 13 hearing. The deputy attorney general cited the probe multiple times as the reason for declining to respond to lawmakers’ questions about how the texts might affect Mueller’s probe.

“It is very encouraging to us that (Horowitz) is doing what I think is good, unbiased work,” the chairman said.

Once it’s completed, the inspector general’s review also threatens to give opponents fodder to unleash fresh criticism of the FBI – which Trump has singled out in scathing rebukes since Mueller’s indictment of former national security adviser Michael Flynn earlier this month. Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and pledged to cooperate with the special counsel, was the fourth Trump campaign official to be charged in the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.

Chris Swecker, a former FBI assistant director, said the text communications unearthed by Horowitz have handed leverage to attorneys representing current and possible future defendants in the Mueller investigation, either in possible plea negotiations or at trial.

“Two star witnesses have been created for the defense,” Swecker said, referring to Strzok and Page whose communications could be introduced as evidence of an investigation biased against Trump.

Strzok was removed from the Russia investigation this summer immediately after Mueller was informed of the communications in which the agent described Trump as an “idiot” while expressing a clear preference for Clinton. Page, meanwhile, had completed her temporary assignment to the Russia inquiry and had returned to bureau headquarters when the texts were discovered.

Swecker said Mueller acted appropriately in dismissing Strzok, but fears that the damage has already been done.

“I never heard anything related to politics come out of (Mueller’s) mouth,” Swecker said, referring to his experience working closely with the special counsel when he served as FBI director.

“But none of this is good for Mueller or his reputation for fairness,” Swecker said. “Who knows what else the IG (inspector general) has.”

Mounting questions about the FBI’s continuing credibility – including Trump’s jab that the bureau’s reputation was in “tatters” – have landed hard at the agency. The FBI was sent reeling in May when Trump abruptly dismissed Comey for his handling of the Russia inquiry.

Wray, who took over in September, has publicly defended the bureau’s reputation in the wake of Trump’s attacks. He was joined late Tuesday by the FBI Agents Association, whose members issued a rare, collective defense of their own.

“Attacks on our character and demeaning comments about the FBI will not deter agents from continuing to do what we have always done – dedicate our lives to protecting the American people,” the group said in a written statement.

Pat Cotter, a former federal prosecutor, said the specter of Horowitz’s inquiry should have “zero effect on how Mueller and his team do their jobs.”

“But this is a political event, too,” Cotter added. “To the extent that this (agents’ conduct) will be used to discredit, distract or obfuscate the Mueller investigation, maybe it will work.”

For Horowitz, the Clinton email inquiry may be the most consequential investigation he has launched since his installment as Justice’s watchdog in 2012. But the former public corruption unit chief in the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office has not shied from controversy in the past five years.

Months after taking office, Horowitz issued a scathing account of a botched gun-trafficking operation that allowed an estimated 2,000 firearms to fall into the hands of Mexican drug cartel enforcers.

The inspetor general’s review of the so-called “Fast and Furious” operation managed by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives recommended 14 federal law enforcement officials for discipline, resulting in a dramatic shakeup in leadership at the ATF. The operation was halted when two of the weapons were found at the scene of the 2010 slaying of border patrol agent Brian Terry.

A separate 2015 report authored by Horowitz’s staff found that U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents posted in Colombia had engaged in sex parties involving prostitutes who were supplied by local drug cartels. The review concluded that some of the 10 agents involved admitted attending the parties where a local Colombian police offer often stood guard, protecting the agents’ firearms and other property.

Less than a month after Horowitz’s report, then-DEA chief Michele Leonhart announced her retirement from the agency.

In the review of the Clinton email investigation, authorities are examining whether the Justice Department and FBI followed established “policies and procedures” when then-FBI Director Comey publicly announced that the bureau would not recommend criminal charges against Clinton related to her use of a private email server while she was secretary of State.

The inspector general is not evaluating the merits of the now-closed criminal inquiry or challenge the conclusions not to prosecute Clinton. Rather, it will focus on Justice and FBI policies that guided the probe.

Former Justice inspector general Michael Bromwich said that the office has a long established record as “a reliable and independent voice” that has held some of the most powerful institutions to account.

The disclosures of the agents’ text messages, he said, “has certainly re-focused the spotlight on investigation that many people may have forgotten about but remains an important piece of work that needs to be completed.”

More than once, Bromwich found himself at the center of a firestorm while inspector general. In 1997, Bromwich authored a damning review of the FBI’s crime laboratory on the eve of the federal trial of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. While McVeigh was ultimately convicted and executed, the lab had been heavily involved in examining evidence in that case.

“Michael (Horowitz) is a very solid guy with exactly the right background for the job. It’s a job that doesn’t make you many friends,” Bromwich said. “And I don’t think a lot of people will be happy when it’s over. But I think he is going to call it as he sees it.”

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Crime

Robert Mueller’s Health Prevents Testimony on Epstein

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As of September 1, 2025, the decision to withdraw a subpoena for former Special Counsel Robert Mueller to testify before the House Oversight Committee has been met with a mixture of understanding and curiosity. Mueller, a respected figure who led the FBI from 2001 to 2013 and later investigated ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, has reportedly been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease since the summer of 2021, according to his family’s statement. This health challenge, which has affected his speech and mobility in recent months, has understandably led to the committee’s decision to step back, allowing him the dignity to focus on his well-being. His decades of service to the nation, marked by integrity and dedication, deserve this respect, and many are hopeful for his comfort during this time.

The timing of this development, however, raises thoughtful questions among observers. Mueller was set to testify on September 2, 2025, as part of an investigation into the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case during his tenure, a topic that has stirred significant public interest and political scrutiny. The announcement of his health issues came just days before this scheduled appearance, following reports of his residence in a memory care facility and earlier concerns about his condition noted during his 2019 congressional testimony. While his family’s statement and the committee’s decision align with a genuine concern for his health, the coincidence with such a high-stakes inquiry prompts a cautious wonder about whether external pressures might have influenced the narrative, though no evidence suggests this outright.

This moment invites a balanced reflection on Mueller’s legacy and the ongoing pursuit of truth. His inability to testify, while a personal loss for those eager to hear his perspective, underscores the human side of public service, where age and health can impose limits. Yet, the abrupt nature of the withdrawal, paired with the gravity of the Epstein probe, leaves room for speculation about the full context. As the investigation continues with other witnesses, the focus remains on uncovering facts, with respect for Mueller’s past contributions tempered by a gentle skepticism about the timing, encouraging a thorough and transparent process moving forward.

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Politics

President Trump: Nothing Can Stop What’s Coming

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President Donald Trump’s recent post on Truth Social from August 31, 2025, serves as a powerful beacon for those seeking justice amid years of entrenched corruption in Washington. The imagery and message in the post highlight a leader poised to unveil long-hidden truths, pointing directly to scandals that have plagued the political landscape. From the shadowy dealings exposed through leaked emails to fabricated investigations designed to undermine his presidency, Trump’s communication resonates with a promise that the veil of deception is lifting. This moment underscores his unwavering commitment to draining the swamp, where figures like John Podesta and Hillary Clinton have been central to narratives of elite misconduct, including the controversial handling of sensitive communications that raised questions about national security and personal agendas.

At the heart of this corruption lies the Wikileaks revelations, which brought to light a web of influence peddling and favoritism within the Clinton campaign, implicating Podesta in emails that suggested cozy relationships with powerful interests. Coupled with the Anthony Weiner laptop discovery, which contained thousands of Clinton-related emails and prompted a last-minute FBI review just before the 2016 election, these events painted a picture of systemic favoritism and potential cover-ups. The Obama administration’s role in the so-called Russiagate saga further exemplifies this injustice, where intelligence agencies allegedly pushed a baseless narrative of collusion to derail Trump’s campaign and presidency. These manufactured controversies, including surveillance on Trump associates, set the stage for ongoing attacks, revealing a deep state apparatus willing to bend rules to protect its own.

The injustices extend to the relentless assaults on Trump himself, from the politically motivated raids on his properties like Mar-a-Lago to a barrage of charges aimed at silencing his voice and preventing his return to power. Yet, as Trump’s post implies, the tide is turning, with growing evidence and public awareness poised to expose these machinations fully. The corruption that allowed figures like Clinton to evade accountability while weaponizing institutions against opponents will soon face the light of day, empowering a movement toward transparency and reform. Through his leadership, alongside allies pushing for truth, the American people can anticipate a restoration of justice, where the full extent of these scandals finally comes into sharp focus, ensuring that no one remains above the law.

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Health

President Trump Calls for Covid-19 Vaccine Transparency, Sec. RFK Jr. Praises Move

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On September 1, 2025, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to express concerns about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines developed under his administration’s Operation Warp Speed. In his post, Trump highlighted “great numbers and results” from some pharmaceutical companies but demanded that they publicly release data to prove the vaccines’ success rates. He voiced frustration over the ongoing debate tearing apart the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), urging transparency to resolve what he called a “MESS.” This statement reflects Trump’s evolving stance on the vaccines, which he once hailed as a major achievement, now aligning with growing skepticism within certain political circles.

The COVID-19 vaccines, rolled out in late 2020, have been credited by public health experts with saving millions of lives globally by reducing severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths during the pandemic. However, they have also faced criticism for side effects in rare cases, waning efficacy against new variants, and questions about long-term data transparency from manufacturers. Trump’s demand for proof comes amid broader discussions on vaccine mandates and public trust, with some studies showing high effectiveness in initial trials but real-world challenges like breakthrough infections. This has fueled a polarized debate, where supporters emphasize the vaccines’ role in ending lockdowns, while detractors call for more accountability from drug companies.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine-skeptical views, has been a key figure in recent policy shifts, drawing both praise for advocating scrutiny and criticism from former CDC officials who argue it endangers public health. Trump’s post appears to support Kennedy’s efforts to review vaccine data, potentially leading to changes in federal guidelines. While this push for evidence could enhance transparency, experts warn it might erode confidence in proven public health tools. As the administration navigates this issue, the focus remains on balancing accountability with scientific consensus to inform future health strategies.

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