“... the Hatch Act, which bars government officials from using their position to influence an election.”
Wouldn’t that include Obama, Biden and all her other government surrogates on the campaign trail?
It provided that persons below the policy-making level in the executive branch of the federal government must not only refrain from political practices that would be illegal for any citizen, but must abstain from "any active part" in political campaigns, using this language to specify those who are exempt:[5]
(i) an employee paid from an appropriation for the Executive Office of the President; or
(ii) an employee appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, whose position is located within the United States, who determines policies to be pursued by the United States in the nationwide administration of Federal laws.
The director of the FBI is appointed by the President with the advise and consent of the senate. I'm thinking he has a hand in determining "policies to be pursued by the United States in the nationwide administration of Federal laws".
Seems like the Hatch Act doesn't apply to Comey. I'm guessing he knew that before he proceeded with this.