>>This could get very ugly

My understanding is that they need a warrant to review these new emails wrt HRC's separate dormant investigation.

Also, apparently FBI agents knew about the emails quite a while ago- apparently shortly after they seized Weiner's and Abedin's devices- but waited weeks to let Comey know.

Possibilities that spring to mind:

1) Agents know there is incriminating content but can't admit it without a warrant, so Comey had to raise a flag to forestall criticism that the FBI gave HRC a free ride by sitting on the emails until too late.

2) They really don't know what's there- if anything- but still don't want to be accused of giving HRC a free ride by sitting on the emails until too late.

3) They're setting out to interfere in the election.

HRC implies 3) which seems unlikely. Of course Trump's team insists 1).

Here's what Comey sent to his FBI agents:

"We don't ordinarily tell Congress about ongoing investigations, but here I feel I also think it would be misleading to the American people were we not to supplement the record. At the same time, however, given that we don't know the significance of this newly discovered collection of emails, I don't want to create a misleading impression. In trying to strike that balance, in a brief letter and in the middle of an election season, there is significant risk of being misunderstood, but I wanted you to hear directly from me about it."

20% of voters already cast their vote, mostly for HRC according to polls. 32% voted early last time and apparently it's higher this time. It may be too late for relevations about either candidate, to make much difference. Unless of course Trump is arrested and charged with rape, or HRC is arrested for some other reason. Or one of them is hospitalized or worse. Otherwise HRC seems to have a lot of momentum.

One thing I'm sure of, is that if (when?) HRC s elected, the basket of deplorables will call it corruption and another cover-up if nothing is found in the emails. Seems to me Comey probably is indeed trying to choose between 2 evils (public perception of cover-up vs political perception of interference) and is struggling, same as the electorate.