A Chilling Discovery Buried Inside the FBI
An internal FBI review team has uncovered a handwritten note from former Director James Comey, dated September 26, 2016 — a cryptic document referencing “HRC plans to tie Trump” and “HRC health,” found sealed away in an unused secure facility deep inside FBI headquarters.
The explosive finding, revealed in newly filed court documents, could reshape how investigators understand one of the most controversial election years in modern American history.
According to filings from the Department of Justice, the note was discovered earlier this year during a full-scale internal audit of the bureau’s records, part of a broader cleanup ordered after whistleblower complaints in early 2025.
The discovery has now become central evidence in the criminal case against Comey, who faces federal charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements over his handling of politically sensitive investigations into both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton ahead of the 2016 election.
The “Forgotten” Room 9582
The note wasn’t sitting in plain sight.
Investigators reportedly found it inside Room 9582, a Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) at FBI headquarters — a high-security space meant to store classified intelligence.
The twist? The room had been inactive for years until a mysterious burst of activity during the week of President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
Access logs now being reviewed show a sudden increase in entries, data transfers, and document movements around that time — raising the question: Who went in there, and what were they moving?
Also recovered inside the room were several burn bags — heavy-duty sacks used for document destruction — filled with hundreds of pages tied to Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s 2016 counterintelligence probe into alleged Trump-Russia collusion.
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A Note That Could Rewrite the Narrative
The note itself is brief, written on FBI letterhead from Comey’s director’s desk, and dated less than six weeks before the 2016 election.
Prosecutors say it aligns with a CIA investigative referral sent to Comey just 19 days earlier — intelligence suggesting that Hillary Clinton’s campaign had approved a plan to link Trump to Russia to distract from her own email controversy.
That CIA document, referred to internally as the Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL), had reportedly vanished from standard FBI record systems for years — until it too resurfaced alongside the Comey note inside the secure room.
According to the DOJ filing, both items were found within feet of one another, suggesting a deliberate effort to move and conceal politically sensitive materials.
Prosecutors Say It’s About Obstruction — Not Politics
Comey, indicted by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, on September 25, faces two charges: obstruction of justice and false statements.
The case centers not only on what Comey allegedly did — but what he may have hidden. Prosecutors argue that he failed to disclose or preserve key intelligence, while misleading investigators and Congress about what he knew.
The filings directly contradict his 2020 Senate testimony, in which he claimed to have no recollection of the “Clinton plan intelligence.”
“That doesn’t ring any bells with me,” Comey told lawmakers at the time.
Now, DOJ attorneys say the newly found handwritten note proves otherwise.
The FBI’s Quiet Reckoning
FBI Director Kash Patel, who ordered the 2025 review, has since confirmed the discovery and authorized the declassification of related materials, including parts of the Durham Special Counsel Report that had previously remained classified.
In a statement released in June, Patel said the internal probe revealed “a troubling pattern of document mismanagement and concealment at the highest levels of the Bureau.”
An internal memo from July 21, 2025, requested a formal investigation into missing or altered records from both the Clinton and Trump inquiries — specifically citing the movement of files from the director’s office to Room 9582.
The memo warned that “failure to account for these records poses significant risks to the Bureau’s integrity and the public trust.”
What Happens Next?
Legal experts say the Comey note could become a linchpin in the case — but only if prosecutors can prove intent.
“Finding a note is one thing,” said one former DOJ official. “Proving he deliberately hid or destroyed evidence is another.”
The Justice Department has indicated that it’s reviewing whether other senior FBI officials may have participated in concealing or sequestering documents during the politically volatile 2016–2017 period.
The filing ends with a stark line:
“Taken together, these records reinforce a fact pattern of alleged obstruction and broader conspiracy within upper FBI management during the 2016 election.”
If proven, that could mean years of legal fallout — and perhaps, renewed scrutiny of how the country’s top law enforcement agency handled one of the most divisive political sagas in modern history.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
