Secret Service Withholds Comey ‘86 47’ Records Due to ‘Enforcement Proceedings’
The agency denied my FOIA request for documents about the former FBI director’s Instagram post that appeared to call for Trump’s removal from office, indicating an investigation is still ongoing.
James Comey, former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, testified before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 7, 2016.
Photographer: Andrew HarrerHappy FOIA Friday the 13th! I got another FOIA denial, this time from the Secret Service, which refused to turn over records related to former FBI Director James Comey’s “86 47” Instagram post due to ongoing “enforcement proceedings.” Plus, the most incredible response to a FOIA request I’ve ever received. And finally, US Customs and Border Protection needs help with a “surge” in FOIA requests. If you’re not already getting FOIA Files in your inbox, sign up here.
When it comes to the former FBI director, there are few public figures who’ve managed to stoke such ire on both sides of the political aisle. Democrats blame Comey for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential election loss. Republicans have their own litany of grievances against him. President Donald Trump, who fired Comey in May 2017, has called for Comey’s prosecution many times, alleging he was part of a “deep state” conspiracy to derail his presidency.