Gabriella Demczuk
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SXSW has announced that FBI Director James Comey has pulled out his scheduled conversation with Newseum CEO Jeffrey Herbst at the March festival due to "scheduling conflicts keeping him in Washington D.C." Comey will be replaced by FBI General Counsel James Baker. The conversation will focus on "how today’s FBI works to protect the public while safeguarding civil liberties, civil rights, and the rule of law."
During the 2016 election cycle, Comey led the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, concluding that no criminal charges should be brought against the Democratic candidate in July. Less than two weeks before the election, Comey sent a letter to congress, explaining that more emails had been uncovered that "appear to be pertinent.” Two days prior to the presidential election, Comey reported that no new evidence had been found.
SXSW recently announced speaking engagements from former vice president Joe Biden, as well as Kesha, Kyle MacLachlan, and more.