Comey’s critics fail to appreciate the wretched options that Clinton’s poor decisions have thrust upon him. Imagine what would happen had Comey chosen not to notify Congress about the discovery of new information that appears to be “pertinent” until after the election. It would seriously call into question the integrity of the FBI and confirm the suspicion that the game was, in fact, rigged for Clinton.

It’s not like there is a reservoir of trust or goodwill built up with the American public. Sentiment toward institutions like the media and the government has been eroding over the last four decades. Both candidates have been complicit in expediting this erosion — Donald Trump touting irresponsible rhetoric about the election being primitively “rigged” and Clinton’s husband holding a private meeting on an airport tarmac with Attorney General Loretta Lynch (just days before the FBI decided not to pursue criminal prosecution of Hillary Clinton) are both prime examples.

Ultimately, Comey was left with two bad decisions — either of which could have potential electoral consequences. If he informs Congress about this new discovery, he risks unfairly influencing the election. But it’s fair to say that withholding this information might also negatively affect the election.