Paul Krugman: FBI's Handling of Clinton Emails Is 'Absolutely Bonkers'

TL;DR

Krugman condemns FBI's handling of Clinton's email investigation.

Transcript

Let's shift to the election more explicitly now. And Paul, you recently commented on FBI Director James Comey's reopening of the Clinton email scandal. In the Times and your Times column, you wrote, "It was worse than bizarre. It was outrageous. Mr. Comey apparently had no evidence suggesting any wrongdoing by Hillary Clinton. He violated long-stan... Read More

Key Insights

• Paul Krugman criticizes FBI Director James Comey's decision to reopen the Clinton email investigation, calling it outrageous and lacking evidence of wrongdoing.
• Krugman suggests that Comey's actions were influenced by pressure from Republican congressmen, despite warnings against such actions close to an election.
• The FBI's silence following the announcement is seen as indicative of internal confusion and a breakdown of norms within the agency.
• Krugman predicts that if Hillary Clinton is elected, Republicans will likely initiate impeachment proceedings even before she takes office.
• The discussion highlights the FBI's decision not to disclose investigations into Trump's aides' connections with Russia, contrasting it with the Clinton email case.
• Krugman expresses concern about the potential challenges Clinton would face in governing, particularly if she lacks a Democratic Senate.
• The interview underscores the broader issue of governmental dysfunction in the U.S., with legislative gridlock being a significant concern.
• Krugman reflects on the broader implications of the FBI's actions, suggesting they contribute to the perception of America as a near-failed state.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Paul Krugman's main criticism of the FBI's handling of the Clinton email investigation?

Paul Krugman's main criticism is that the FBI, under Director James Comey, reopened the Clinton email investigation without substantial evidence of wrongdoing by Hillary Clinton. He describes the decision as outrageous and suggests it was influenced by Republican pressure, violating long-standing rules about commenting on politically sensitive investigations close to an election.

Q: Why does Krugman believe Comey's actions were influenced by Republicans?

Krugman believes Comey's actions were influenced by Republicans because he suspects Comey was pressured by Republican congressmen who were dissatisfied with the lack of charges against Clinton. Despite warnings from other officials about the inappropriateness of reopening the investigation close to an election, Comey proceeded, which Krugman attributes to political pressure.

Q: What are the potential consequences for Hillary Clinton if she is elected, according to Krugman?

According to Krugman, if Hillary Clinton is elected, she may face immediate impeachment proceedings initiated by Republicans before she even takes office. He also foresees challenges in her ability to govern, particularly if she does not have a Democratic Senate to support her in filling Supreme Court vacancies and making appointments.

Q: How does Krugman view the FBI's decision not to disclose investigations into Trump's aides' Russian connections?

Krugman views the FBI's decision not to disclose investigations into Trump's aides' Russian connections as a stark contrast to their handling of the Clinton email case. He highlights this selective disclosure as indicative of a breakdown in norms and suggests it reflects a broader issue of internal confusion and inconsistency within the FBI.

Q: What does Krugman suggest about the state of the American government?

Krugman suggests that the American government is perilously close to becoming a failed state. He points to legislative gridlock and the inability to pass significant legislation as signs of governmental dysfunction. Despite being a rich and sophisticated country, the U.S. government struggles to function effectively, according to Krugman.

Q: Why does Krugman describe the FBI's actions as 'absolutely bonkers'?

Krugman describes the FBI's actions as 'absolutely bonkers' because the decision to reopen the Clinton email investigation was made without clear evidence of wrongdoing. The announcement was vague and left open implications of misconduct, despite the investigation being based on a laptop with emails that may not contain new information.

Q: What role does Krugman believe a Democratic Senate would play if Clinton is elected?

Krugman believes that a Democratic Senate would be crucial for Clinton's ability to govern effectively if elected. With a Democratic Senate, she would have the support needed to fill Supreme Court vacancies and make key appointments. Without it, her ability to pass legislation and implement her agenda would be severely hindered.

Q: How does Krugman perceive the broader implications of the FBI's actions on the U.S. political landscape?

Krugman perceives the broader implications of the FBI's actions as contributing to the perception of America as a near-failed state. The breakdown of norms, selective disclosure of investigations, and potential for political gridlock all point to a dysfunctional government. This situation undermines confidence in the U.S. political system and its ability to function effectively.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Paul Krugman criticizes the FBI's reopening of the Clinton email investigation, describing it as outrageous and lacking substantial evidence. He attributes the decision to Republican pressure on FBI Director James Comey, despite warnings against such actions close to an election. The FBI's silence post-announcement raises concerns about internal confusion.

• Krugman anticipates that if Hillary Clinton is elected president, Republicans will likely pursue impeachment proceedings before she even assumes office. He notes the FBI's selective disclosure of investigations, contrasting the Clinton email case with the undisclosed probe into Trump's aides' Russian connections.

• The discussion delves into the potential challenges Clinton would face in governing, particularly without a Democratic Senate. Krugman highlights the broader issue of governmental dysfunction in the U.S., with legislative gridlock and a near-failed state perception being significant concerns.