Here's why the FBI refused to release Hillary Clinton files to the public

The Federal Bureau of Investigation denied a request for information about Hillary Clinton and gave what some might consider to be a ridiculous excuse for the declination.

The FBI says there is not enough public interest to merit releasing the information.

Fox News obtained the letter explaining to a New York City attorney who requested in the information that the FBI had determined he had "not sufficiently demonstrated that the public’s interest in disclosure outweighs personal privacy interests of the subject.”

“Therefore, records regarding your subject are withheld pursuant to FOIA exemptions,” read the letter from David M. Hardy of the FBI’s Records Management Division.

Clevenger filed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in March of 2016, asking for documents including email exchanges between the FBI, the Department of Justice, and Congress about Clinton.

Ty Clevenger responded, "Frankly, I am stunned I should have to explain why my request pertains to a matter of public interest,” to an earlier letter from the FBI demanding he show the interest to the public good of releasing the documents.

“If you seek disclosure of any existing records on this basis, you must demonstrate that the public interest in disclosure outweighs personal privacy interests,” the earlier letter from the FBI stated. “In this regard, you must show that the public interest sought is a significant one, and that the requested information is likely to advance that interest.”

To be considered "in the public interest," an act would need to be for the benefit of the general populace, and not committed for frivolous reasons, or in interest of a particular party. Clevenger argued that just on the basis that Clinton had been the Secretary of State and had run for the president's office that it would be in the public's interest to reveal the information he sought.