Donald Trump slams Hillary Clinton over e-mail `collusion`, State Dept denies

Washington: Donald Trump`s campaign on Monday accused Hillary Clinton of colluding with US authorities to "cover up criminal activity" related to her use of a private e-mail system while serving as secretary of state, but the State Department denied any wrongdoing.

The Republican presidential hopeful`s team seized on newly released FBI documents as proof the State Department pressured the agency to alter its findings in a probe of Clinton`s use of private servers.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation documents released Monday showed a senior State Department official had asked the FBI to declassify or lower the classification of one Clinton e-mail that had been rated "secret."

Patrick Kennedy, an undersecretary of state, had asked that the e-mail be rated to a less-sensitive category.

In exchange, according to an FBI agent, Kennedy had said the State Department would accept an FBI request for additional agents at foreign diplomatic posts.

"These FBI documents provide undeniable proof that Hillary Clinton colluded with the FBI, DOJ (Department of Justice) and State Department to cover up criminal activity at the highest levels," said Michael Flynn, a retired general and close Trump adviser.

Two key Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives called for President Barack Obama to immediately remove Kennedy pending an investigation, saying his actions were "extremely disturbing."

"Those who receive classified intelligence should not barter in it -- that is reckless behavior with our nation`s secrets," said Jason Chaffetz, chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Devin Nunes, chair of the Intelligence Committee.

In the end, the email was not declassified.

The FBI, in a statement Monday, said the request for job posts was not linked to discussions about the email classification.

"The allegation of any kind of quid pro quo is inaccurate and does not align with the facts. So there was no quid pro quo," said Mark Toner, deputy spokesman at the State Department.

In July, the FBI wrapped up its investigation of Clinton`s use of her personal email system and concluded that no criminal charges would be appropriate. FBI Director James Comey said the former top US diplomat had been "extremely careless" in her handling of classified information.

With the US election just three weeks away on November 8, Clinton`s Democratic campaign sought to downplay the new FBI documents.

"It`s very well-known that there were disputes between the State Department and other agencies about classification," her campaign manager, Robby Mook, told reporters. "It`s not uncommon for officials within a department to fight over classification."