Clinton campaign rips into FBI director for 'overblown' reaction

The Clinton campaign lashed out at FBI Director James Comey on Saturday, asking him to release more information related to the "extraordinary letter" he issued on Friday informing Congress that the FBI was investigating new emails as part of its probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.

Campaign Chairman John Podesta described that letter as "long on innuendo and short on facts."

During a press call Saturday, Podesta stated that a day after the letter was released the American people still "have no real explanation of why Director Comey decided to send that letter to congressional leaders."

Podesta continued, "In fact, the more information that comes out the more overblown this all seems and the more concern it creates about Director Comey's actions."

The Clinton campaign was blindsided on Friday after news broke that the FBI director was reviewing new information reportedly uncovered during a separate investigation into former Congressman Anthony Weiner's sexting scandal. Podesta maintained that "there's no evidence of wrongdoing, no charge of wrongdoing, no indication this is even about Hillary."

Comey issued a letter to Congress on Friday detailing that new emails had emerged that may be pertinent to the concluded investigation into Clinton's email server. The Clinton campaign claims that the vague language used in the letter could be a distraction, and with less than two weeks until Election Day they are calling for the relevant information to be released.

The campaign chairman also pushed back against some initial reporting that suggested the FBI. director was "re-opening" the Clinton email server investigation.

Podesta said, "that is not at all the case," while also placing a considerable amount of blame for the confusion at Director Comey's feet. "This is exactly the problem that Director Comey has created with sending of this letter just eleven days out from the president election," Podesta told reporters. "By providing selected information he has allowed partisans to distort and exaggerate in order to inflict maximum political damage.

"No one can separate what is true form what is not because Comey has not been forthcoming with the facts," Podesta added.

Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of Clinton's amid the blossoming controversy, describing the new developments as "bigger than Watergate." The Republican nominee also praised Comey's decision to review the new information, saying, "I have great respect for the fact the FBI and the Department of Justice are now willing to have the courage to right the horrible mistake that they made."

Campaign Manager Robby Mook on the other hand insisted during a call with the press that Comey's letter may ultimately have a net positive impact on Clinton's White House prospects by inspiring her supporters.

"Our volunteers are rallying behind Hillary," said Mook.

Clinton herself responded similarly on Friday urging Comey to release the full pitcure.

"We don't know the facts, which is why we are calling on the FBI to release all the information that it has," Clinton said in reaction to the bombshell news. "Even Director Comey noted that this new information might not be significant, so let's get it out," the Democratic nominee added.

BY: WILLIAM STEAKIN