FBI Director James Comey Speaking at SXSW 2017

SXSW 2017 is set to take place March 10-19 in Austin, Texas. It includes music, film, and interactive festivals, and speeches, talks, panels, and workshops featuring a variety of speakers from various disciplines. Today, SXSW announced that FBI Director James Comey will be one of the speakers at this year's conference, as Spin points out. He will engage in a conversation with Newseum CEO Jeffrey Herbst on Monday, March 13 at 5 p.m. at the Hilton in downtown Austin.

Comey was one of the most controversial figures of the 2016 presidential election for his role in the Justice Department’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. In July 2016, he recommended that no criminal charges be brought against Clinton, though he reprimanded her for being “extremely careless.” However, eleven days before the election, Comey sent a letter to Congress stating that more emails had showed up that needed to be reviewed. Although the FBI had not yet looked through them, he wrote that they “appear to be pertinent.” Two days prior to the election, Comey said they found no new evidence that would warrant reopening the investigation. Many Clinton supporters believe that Comey's actions helped undermine her presidential campaign.

Recent reports suggest that Donald Trump will keep Comey as his FBI Director.

In SXSW's event announcement, Herbst said: 

“The Newseum is the premier national institution that promotes the freedoms of the First Amendment and the right of free expression. This year we will conduct a unique conversation examining the tensions between privacy and national security. Being able to share a high level conversation with FBI Director James Comey and the audience in Austin will help us all understand the challenges to our rights in the age of disruption.”

SXSW added:

“SXSW is committed to facilitating conversations that inform, inspire, and challenge. With the discussion focused on cybersecurity at a time when the nation’s top law enforcement agency has been at the center of international news, SXSW looks forward to an enlightening and productive discussion.”

Pitchfork has reached out to SXSW’s representatives, who had no further comment.

Last year, SXSW featured talks with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. SXSW also teamed up with the White House for a festival, South by South Lawn, in October.

via Matthew Strauss