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FBI actions more than just ethics problem

Ask an FBI agent if a specific person is being investigated, and the answer invariably will be, “No comment.” Expect special treatment from agents because you happen to espouse the same political beliefs they have? Not a chance.

Now, however, Justice Department officials want us to believe high-ranking FBI officials, both current and former, have trouble with the same ethics rules followed by thousands of front-line agents.

A just-released report by the Justice Department’s inspector general rakes some former officials, including ex-FBI Director James Comey, over the coals regarding their handling of an investigation just before the 2016 presidential election. The probe involved Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified information on her private email server while she was secretary of state.

Not only did Comey talk publicly about the investigation, he also funneled information on it to the press. Then, he announced Clinton had been guilty of no wrongdoing.

Others in the agency, including former official Peter Strzok, made no secret of their enmity toward Donald Trump. “We’ll stop it,” Strzok bragged of Trump’s campaign for president.

The inspector general’s conclusion? Mistakes were made. The Justice Department will have to do better. Agents and officials will receive ethics training.

Any conscious wrongdoing? No, say FBI and Justice Department officials.

Come on, now. High-level FBI officials who just didn’t understand ethics rules? Give us a break. The American people know a coverup when they see one.

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