Hillary Clinton's Colin Powell Emails Released: Powell Told Successor He Used Personal Devices to Communicate, Advised "There is Real Danger" in Using Government Email
Colin Powell emails Hillary Clinton about his security details and rules placed upon him while he was secretary of state; claims he did not advise Clinton to use private email.
Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's emails to former Secretary of State Colin Powell were finally released in response to the Republican Party's request to continue their probe on Clinton's negligent email use.
According to the emails that were released, Powell told Clinton that he did not go through the State Department's server to communicate with his family, friends, and foreign leaders. Powell used his own personal computer instead.
Clinton reached out to Powell for help
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Clinton mentioned before that he asked Powell how he handled personal devices when he served as secretary of state. Still according to the released emails, Powell replied with a long four-paragraph statement saying that he did not use a BlackBerry.
Considering how different technology was when Powell still served as secretary of state, he mentioned that he was able to communicate with his employees and people outside the department by bypassing the agency's record.
Powell used a private phone line
Powell wrote in one of the emails saying that he used a personal computer which was connected to a private phone service. This allowed him to communicate with friends without going through the State Department server. He mentioned that he also did the same thing while he was on the road.
Powell did not influence Clinton
Powell insisted that he did not try to influence the Democratic candidate to use a private email server, but he only meant to explain what he did while he served as secretary of state. He also said that he was interviewed by the FBI and the State Department Inspector General (IG) regarding the matter and he stands by his decisions and is accountable for them.
Warnings for Clinton
Powell informed Clinton in 2009 that the issue has something to do with the use of personal digital assistants (PDA). He said that he was not allowed to use these in secure areas. He was told that his messages could be read by enemies of the state.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recovered an email with a warning message from Powell to Clinton saying that using a government designated email could make her messages public. Powell told Clinton that there is real danger in this manner of communication.
Powell said that any correspondence, government or not, could be cited as an official record and may be subject to the law. He further advised the then secretary of state that she should be very careful and not to say much. He also cautioned her from using systems that capture data or information.
Aside from giving Clinton some advice on how to use communication devices, Powell also provided an assessment of security protocols for movements and not just for emails. He mentioned the restrictions that were set upon him and how he was recommended to have agents accompany him at all times.
Effects of Clinton's negligent email use
The Democratic presidential candidate's use of a private server while serving as secretary of state has dramatically affected her campaign and has started criticism from Republicans. Upon the release of the emails on Wednesday, Republicans complained that this was not the full report that they asked for.
Major difference in technology
A spokesman for Colin Powell stressed that the major difference between technology then and now should also be considered. This was likely why Powell used a state computer that was on his desk for classified work.
