RealClearPolitics Posted a Bondi Hearing Clip That Names Clinesmith

REPORTING

On January 16, 2025, RealClearPolitics posted a video clip from a Pam Bondi confirmation hearing. The RCP title frames it as an example of a “bad lawyer within the DOJ who we would prosecute,” and the research file records that the clip cites Clinesmith.

That is reporting of a confirmation-hearing remark. It is not a new information, not a new plea, and not a finding that anyone else has been charged for the June 2017 email. This site does not invent a transcript of the clip. Open the RCP page for the video.

A 2019 RealClearPolitics article also mentioned Clinesmith’s removal from Robert Mueller’s team after Inspector General–reviewed messages. That article is listed in sources. Instant-message slogans are not quoted here; there is no linkable original post in this draft.

Sources

RealClearPolitics video, Jan. 16, 2025. realclearpolitics.com (reporting)

RealClearPolitics, April 17, 2019 (Mueller-team removal mention). realclearpolitics.com (reporting)

CourtListener docket (the 2020–21 case those remarks refer to). courtlistener.com

Opinion

The following is commentary by this site. It is not a finding of fact and not a legal conclusion.

Compiler take

Years later they are still using his name in a confirmation hearing. The case did not vanish. The count is still one count. The email is still the email.