FBI Director James Comey told a House panel Tuesday that he is personally reviewing the probe of Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email server while she ran the State Department.

Responding to a question from Rep. Steve Chabot, Ohio Republican, Mr. Comey said during a House Judiciary Committee hearing that he’s overseeing aspects of the federal probe.

“I can assure you is that I am very close personally to that investigation to ensure that we have the resources we need, including people and technology, and that it’s done the way the FBI tries to do all of it’s work: independently, competently and promptly. That’s our goal, and I’m confident that it’s being done that way, but I can’t give you any more details beyond that,” Mr. Comey testified.

The FBI director’s remark on the Clinton email matter occurred toward the beginning of an unrelated hearing in which he testified as to the bureau’s desire to access the encrypted contents of an Apple iPhone that belonged to Syed Farook, half of the now-deceased married couple that went on an armed rampage in San Bernardino in December, killing 14.

Federal law enforcement officials believe the phone could contain important clues concerning the shooters’ motivations and potential ties to terrorism, but they are unable to parse the data since the device was designed by Apple using security measures that prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access.

While the hearing otherwise revolved around the FBI’s attempts to bypass Apple’s security, the beginning of the hourslong event was briefly derailed by Mr. Chabot’s unrelated questioning on Mrs. Clinton’s emails, which for years she administered through a private account in lieu of using one established by the State Department.

“A few weeks back, the FBI’s general counsel James Baker acknowledged the the FBI is, quote, working on matters related to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server, end quote,” the congressman recalled while questioning Mr. Comey.

“This is a matter of considerable import,” Mr. Chabot said of the Clinton investigation. “Is there anything that you can tell us as to when this matter might be wrapped up one way or the other?”

“I can’t, congressman, as you know we don’t talk about our investigations,” Mr. Comey responded before acknowledging his own participation in the probe.

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