A newly released FBI electronic communication tied to the Clinton Foundation outlines allegations that agents had enough information to consider opening a preliminary investigation, including claims involving foreign donations, political influence, and access to senior U.S. officials.
Sen. Chuck Grassley highlighted the document in a letter to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, saying it reflects repeated concerns about foreign influence tied to speaking fees and contributions linked to the foundation.
The filing cites multiple examples, including donations tied to a former Uranium One executive, contributions from a Polo Resources figure that preceded U.S. diplomatic activity in Bangladesh, and a Colombian timber deal that raised additional pay-to-play questions. It also references claims that Hillary Clinton encouraged Russian officials to pursue a multibillion-dollar aircraft deal with Boeing, followed by a donation pledge to the foundation, as well as a Haiti-related mining permit granted to her brother during a period of major U.S. aid spending after the 2010 earthquake.
Despite the breadth of allegations, the matter did not advance beyond early stages. Earlier records released by Grassley show FBI field offices in New York, Little Rock, and Washington pursued related leads but encountered resistance from the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, then led by Ray Hulser. Hulser later told Special Counsel John Durham he declined prosecution, while noting his decision was not binding on other offices.
Internal disputes also surfaced, with one DOJ official describing the department’s reaction to the briefing as “hostile,” while Hulser maintained the FBI presentation lacked sufficient basis and relied in part on unverified claims. Even after President Donald Trump took office, a 2020 investigative update showed key requests remained unresolved nearly two years after they were first submitted.
Grassley said the “outcome of these investigative matters is unclear,” and formally requested DOJ and FBI records related to the Clinton Foundation and Uranium One matters by May 11. He is seeking all Suspicious Activity Reports, FBI Form 302s, intelligence summaries, interview transcripts, and related emails and documents, along with clarification on the final outcome of both the Uranium One investigation and the broader pay-to-play allegations.
