State Department Reopens Probe Into How Clinton, Top Aides Handled Classified Information

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — The State Department is reopening an internal investigation of possible mishandling of classified information by Hillary Clinton and top aides.

Photo by Whitney Curtis/Getty Images

Spokesman John Kirby says the emails probe is restarting now that the Justice Department isn't pursuing a criminal prosecution. The State Department suspended its review in April to avoid interfering with the FBI's inquiry.

Kirby set no deadline for the investigation's completion.

Clinton was secretary of state until early 2013. Most of her top advisers left shortly thereafter.

But Kirby said this week former officials can still face "administrative sanctions." The most serious is loss of security clearances, which could complicate Clinton's naming of a national security team if she becomes president.

Beyond the Democratic front-runner, the probe is most likely examining confidants Cheryl Mills, Jake Sullivan and Huma Abedin.

News of the State Department's reopened investigation comes after a day of intense questioning aimed at FBI Director James Comey by the House Oversight Committee.

The hearing was held after Comey, who said Clinton was "extremely careless" in her handling of classified information during her time as secretary of state, decided not to recommend criminal charges for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

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