Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Rebuffs Report’s Criticism of Email Use

The Clinton campaign on Wednesday released a 203-word statement largely dismissing the criticisms in the inspector general’s report on the email practices of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It reprised many of the arguments Mrs. Clinton has made throughout the 14-month drama over her use of a personal email and server. Now, though, the statement can be compared directly with the findings in the 79-page report.

From the statement: “The inspector general documents just how consistent her email practices were with those of other secretaries and senior officials at the State Department who also used personal email.”

“The report shows that problems with the State Department’s electronic record-keeping systems were longstanding and that there was no precedent of someone in her position having a State Department email account until after the arrival of her successor.”

“Contrary to the false theories advanced for some time now, the report notes that her use of personal email was known to officials within the department during her tenure, and that there is no evidence of any successful breach of the secretary’s server.”

“We agree that steps ought to be taken to ensure the government can better maintain official records, and if she were still at the State Department, Secretary Clinton would embrace and implement any recommendations, including those in this report, to help do that.”

“As this report makes clear, Hillary Clinton’s use of personal email was not unique, and she took steps that went much further than others to appropriately preserve and release her records.”

Wednesday’s statement from the campaign does not repeat an assertion Mrs. Clinton has made before: that her arrangement, while unwise, was permitted. Last September, she told The Associated Press: “What I did was allowed. It was allowed by the State Department. The State Department has confirmed that.”

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