This post has been updated with new information.
The FBI is reviewing new emails connected to the previously closed investigation of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server during her tenure as secretary of state, director James Comey told eight chairmen of congressional committees today.
He said that the newly uncovered “emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation” and that they came to light “in connection with an unrelated case.”
“I agreed that the FBI should take appropriate investigative steps designed to allow investigators to review these emails to determine whether they contain classified information, as well as to assess their importance to our investigation,” Comey added.
He gave no further details, but the disclosure is sure to roil the presidential race 11 days before the election.
Here’s his full letter, as obtained by NBC News.
Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of state became one of the biggest scandals dogging her campaign for president. The FBI recommended in July that no criminal charges be filed.
It’s possible Comey’s letter could refer to the hacking of the Clinton campaign—most likely by Russia—and the subsequent leak of embarrassing Clinton campaign emails to Wikileaks. However, sources tell CNN and NBC that the new emails have nothing to do with Wikileaks, Russia or the Clinton Foundation.
Clinton’s opponent Donald Trump said that he has “great respect for the fact that the FBI and the DOJ are now willing to have the courage to right the horrible mistake.”