FBI faces big test in Clinton email flap

WASHINGTON — The FBI’s handling of its Hillary Clinton email probe has undercut the bureau’s carefully crafted image as unquestionably outside the political fray.

The yearlong investigation thrust the FBI into the thick of an already fractious presidential race, entangled in a way that strained its vaunted independence and cracked its prized reputation for silence about its work. Even after today’s election, FBI Director James Comey is sure to face second-guessing over his public statements that opened the curtain on normally secret investigative details.

Although Comey signaled a conclusion to the Clinton email matter with a letter to Congress on Sunday, the discussion continues. Lawmakers demand answers to questions left unresolved by two vague and ambiguous Comey letters. Clinton and her aides feel wronged by the disclosure of “new” emails less than two weeks before Election Day. And ex-prosecutors of both parties are concerned the bureau’s actions strayed from its mandate to steer clear of politics.

If Clinton should win today, could the investigation follow her into the White House? Comey said Sunday that agents had finished reviewing all newly found emails to and from her while she was secretary of state and had found nothing to change his conclusion from July — no charges. A senior law enforcement official said the letter meant an end to the email review, rather than a simple status update. There was no suggestion any of Clinton’s aides were being scrutinized, indicating the investigation was again closed.

The speed with which agents reviewed the trove of emails — found on a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Huma Abedin, a close Clinton aide — suggested investigators encountered many duplicates of messages they had already seen.

It’s hard to gauge the political impact of Comey’s recent announcements. In the nine days between Comey’s initial statement that he was looking at more emails and his all-clear announcement on Sunday, nearly 24 million people cast early ballots — about 18 percent of the expected total votes for president.

The controversy, coupled with leaks that laid bare internal squabbling, suggests a tough road ahead for FBI leaders regardless of who wins today.

The latest turmoil poses a unique challenge for a venerable law enforcement organization and for a director who talks often about his desire to be accountable to the American people and transparent.

Depending on who wins Tuesday, Comey will have to co-exist with either a Republican president who has challenged his organization’s integrity or a Democrat whose email practices were the subject of a criminal investigation. He’ll also probably have to explain his decision-making to Congress.