Clinton's campaign manager accuses Comey of 'blatant double standard'

Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, skewered FBI Director James Comey on a conference call Monday afternoon, accusing him of recklessly engaging in a double standard when it comes to the agency’s review of Clinton’s email scandal.

"Director Comey has made it known that he felt that he owed the information about the emails to Congress, but he has no problem depriving information to the American people, Sen. Harry Reid and to House members who have been inquiring about Russia's attacks on our elections and our democracy," Mook said on the call with reporters. "It is impossible to view this as anything less than a blatant double standard."


Mook’s comments came on the heels of a CNBC report that Comey did not want to publicly accuse Russia of meddling in the presidential election given how close Election Day was, but was OK with disclosing that the bureau was reviewing new evidence in its investigation into Clinton's private email server.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the report.

The report provided fresh ammunition for Clinton's campaign to go after Comey, after having blasted him over the weekend. The very notion of being cautious about blaming Russia, Mook said, gives the impression that Comey was more worried about a foreign state actor than the Democratic presidential nominee.

Such a juxtaposition, Mook added, was "jaw dropping."

Mook said that by going it alone and sending the letter, Comey not only ignored protocol but also the "hallmarks of a good investigation." And he echoed other Democrats who are demanding any dirt the bureau might have on Trump and his ties to Russia power brokers.

"Director Comey is the one who opened this door, he is the one who broke protocol when he provided information on an investigation before it concluded," Mook said. "He needs to immediately explain this incongruence and apply the same standard to Donald Trump’s associates as he as applied to Hillary Clinton."