Newly filed court documents show that former FBI Director James Comey wrote a 2016 note referencing “HRC plans to tie Trump” and “HRC health,” which investigators discovered earlier this year locked inside a long-unused FBI safe.
The handwritten note, dated September 26, 2016, was found by an internal review team in early 2025, according to new evidence in the Justice Department’s criminal case against Comey.
The note, written on FBI letterhead from Comey’s director’s desk, was dated just weeks before the 2016 election and 19 days after the CIA sent Comey an investigative referral regarding intelligence that Hillary Clinton’s campaign had approved a plan to link then-candidate Donald Trump to Russia.
Prosecutors allege that Comey later concealed this referral and other related materials, obstructing internal and congressional investigations.
A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, indicted Comey on September 25 on one count of making false statements and another of obstruction of justice.
The charges stem from alleged efforts to mislead investigators about the FBI’s handling of politically sensitive probes into both presidential candidates in the final months before the 2016 election.
According to the filings, the note was discovered inside Room 9582, a secure compartmented information facility (SCIF) at FBI headquarters that had not been accessed for years.
The internal team that located it was assigned to reform the bureau’s records and classification procedures following whistleblower complaints in early 2025.
The filing says the room was “seemingly unused” until a sudden burst of activity around the week of President Trump’s January 2025 inauguration.
The discovery of Comey’s note came alongside the original Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL) — the CIA document that alerted the FBI in September 2016 to Clinton’s alleged campaign plan.
The team also recovered access logs showing that Room 9582 experienced an unusual increase in entries and data transfers during the days surrounding the presidential transition, raising questions about who entered the facility and what materials were handled.
The court record includes an internal memo from July 21, 2025, showing that the FBI’s Public Corruption Unit formally requested an investigation into the concealment or removal of documents related to both the Clinton and Trump inquiries.
The memo stated that the missing CIA referral had originally been stored in a filing closet adjacent to the FBI director’s office before being moved to Room 9582.
The documents also contradict Comey’s 2020 Senate testimony, in which he claimed no knowledge of the so-called “Clinton plan intelligence.” During a Judiciary Committee hearing on September 30, 2020, Comey said the allegation “doesn’t ring any bells with me.”
The newly filed exhibits also reference the discovery of five burn bags found on the floor of the same FBI secure facility.
Those bags reportedly contained hundreds of pages of documents related to Crossfire Hurricane, the bureau’s 2016 counterintelligence investigation into alleged Trump-Russia ties.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who ordered the internal review, confirmed the discovery in June and later authorized the declassification of several materials, including the previously unreleased classified appendix of the Durham Special Counsel Report.
The Justice Department filing describes the combination of hidden records, delayed disclosures, and handwritten notes as evidence of “a broader pattern of concealment” by senior FBI officials. It asserts that Comey’s notations “corroborate the existence of contemporaneous awareness of the Clinton plan intelligence and suggest an effort to obscure that awareness from oversight entities.”
Legal analysts say the handwritten note could prove significant in the government’s obstruction case, depending on whether prosecutors can demonstrate intent to conceal or destroy records. The filings suggest investigators are also reviewing whether others within the FBI knowingly participated in removing or sequestering materials related to both the Clinton email probe and the Trump-Russia investigation.
The DOJ filing concludes that “taken together, these records reinforce a fact pattern of alleged obstruction and broader conspiracy” within the upper levels of the FBI during the 2016 election period.
What was scheduled as a routine hearing on U.S. immigration policy unexpectedly became a nationally televised flashpoint.
The session, convened by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, aimed to assess the state of U.S. immigration policy. Given her own experience navigating the immigration system, Omar was invited to share her insights and policy recommendations.
However, rather than focus solely on policy, Senator Kennedy entered the chamber with a thick stack of documents, quotes, and public statements — all carefully selected to challenge the consistency of Omar’s past remarks and positions. His objective was clear: scrutinize the coherence between her words and the message she delivers to the American public.
Kennedy opened by emphasizing that this was not merely a policy discussion:
“We’re not just talking about immigration policy. We’re talking about responsibility and the consistency of the message lawmakers send to the American people.”
He then launched into a series of direct, high-pressure questions. He highlighted moments when Omar had called the immigration system “racist” while also supporting its expansion, asking her to reconcile the contradiction. He pressed her to clarify controversial remarks about the Jewish community and whether she still stood by them.
BREAKING NEWS!! It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of a beloved cultural icon, whose influence spanned generations and whose contributions to the world of music have left an indelible mark. Today, the world mourns the loss of legendary musician and philanthropist, Jonathan “Johnny” Reynolds, who passed away peacefully at the age of 78 in his hometown surrounded by family and friends.
Reynolds, whose career stretched over six decades, was more than just a musician; he was a beacon of creativity, a pioneer who continually reinvented his sound while staying true to his roots. Born in 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee, Reynolds grew up in a household filled with music. His father, a jazz saxophonist, and his mother, a gospel singer, instilled in him a love for diverse musical genres. This eclectic background would later shape his unique style, seamlessly blending rock, jazz, blues, and folk.
His breakthrough came in the mid-1960s with the release of his debut album, “Soulful Strings,” a record that not only captured the hearts of millions but also broke barriers by defying conventional genre boundaries. Songs like “Whispering Wind” and “Echoes of the Heart” became anthems of a generation and resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
Beyond his musical genius, Reynolds was a dedicated humanitarian. In the 1980s, he founded the Harmony Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at providing music education to underprivileged children. His commitment to using music as a tool for social change earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1994.
Throughout his career, Reynolds remained a humble and grounded figure. Despite his fame, he never lost sight of what truly mattered: the music and the message. He often said, “Music is a universal language; it speaks to the soul and transcends barriers. It’s the one thing that can bring people together, no matter their background.”
Colleagues and fans alike have taken to social media to express their grief and celebrate the life of a man who gave so much to the world. Fellow musicians recall his generosity and warmth, painting a picture of an artist who was as dedicated to his craft as he was to supporting upcoming talent. “Johnny was a mentor and a friend,” said longtime collaborator and renowned guitarist, Sarah Collins. “He taught me that music was more than just notes and rhythms; it was about telling stories and touching lives.”
Reynolds’ legacy is also carried on through his extensive discography, which continues to inspire and influence new generations of artists. His timeless classics remain a testament to his extraordinary talent and the joy he brought to millions.
As the world reflects on the life and career of Jonathan “Johnny” Reynolds, it is clear that his impact will be felt for years to come. His music, filled with emotion and sincerity, will continue to inspire listeners and serve as a reminder of his immense contribution to the art form he cherished so deeply