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Gaetz, DeSantis, Yoho: FBI must investigate Clinton

Florida Republicans to make case Wednesday morning.
 
Published Dec. 6, 2017|Updated Dec. 6, 2017

WASHINGTON – Three Florida Republicans this morning called for an investigation into the FBI's treatment of Hillary Clinton.

"In advance of the December 7th testimony of FBI Director Christopher Wray before the House Judiciary Committee," reads a news release, "the Congressmen are specifically calling for information about former Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe's statement that the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's misuse of a personal email server was referred to as 'special' and that 'the decision was made to investigate it at HQ with a small team.' "

Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz, Ron DeSantis and Ted Yoho  appeared at the event with several other conservatives, including Jim Jordan of Ohio, Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Louie Gohmert of Texas.

"We are here today calling for an investigation into FBI systems and procedures that have allowed special treatment and bias to run rampant," said Gaetz, of Fort Walton Beach. "The law demands equal treatment for all, not 'special' treatment for some. There is a clear and consistent pattern of treating the Clinton investigation differently than other investigations. At least some of this 'special' treatment seems to have been motivated by political bias."

Gaetz, Gohmert and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona earlier sent a letter to Wray asking for an investigation. Gaetz has also gotten attention from Fox News and other conservative outlets.

A former FBI agent, however, said "special" isn't code for soft treatment.

"The term 'special' is a relic from the Hoover era (1924-1972). I have canvassed a number of retired agents and all associated it with a case classification. The designation of 'special' has also been known to have been used interchangeably with the designation 'major case.'" James A. Gagliano, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, wrote in The Hill.

Conservatives have been pushing for a renewed look at Clinton as investigations continue about Russia's role in the election and connections to the Trump team.

The 9 a.m. press conference comes on the same day Democrats could be forced to vote on articles of impeachment against Trump.