Lynch and Comey Have Some Explaining to Do
Both are before Congress today over Hillary Clinton’s email scandal.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch officially closed the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server and mishandling of classified information Wednesday. Lynch said in a statement, “I met with FBI Director James Comey and career prosecutors and agents who conducted the investigation … [and] I received and accepted their unanimous recommendation that the thorough, year-long investigation be closed and that no charges be brought against any individuals within the scope of the investigation.”
To be clear, she both hand-selected these “career prosecutors” at the Justice Department and likely knew the verdict before announcing last week that she would merely accept the recommendation. As Mark Alexander wrote yesterday, “Of course she could remove herself. She knew the fix was already in.” Also, the clean sweep absolving everyone is simply because they couldn’t prosecute the little guy without prosecuting the big girl.
Both Lynch and FBI Director James Comey are testifying before Congress today over the decision not to pursue charges against Clinton. “The FBI’s recommendation is surprising and confusing,” said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), chairman of the Oversight Committee. “The fact pattern presented by Director Comey makes clear Secretary Clinton violated the law. Congress and the American people have a right to understand the depth and breadth of the FBI’s investigation.”
Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) noted that the FBI’s decision “raises serious concerns” and is “uniquely troubling in light of Attorney General Lynch’s secret meeting with former President Bill Clinton.”
Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, wrote a letter to Comey, saying, “You determined that Secretary Clinton’s ‘handling of very sensitive, highly classified information’ was ‘extremely careless.’ However, you found that the actions of Secretary Clinton did not lead to a recommendation to pursue criminal charges, including charges under the ‘gross negligence’ standard. … What is the difference, in the FBI’s view, between extreme carelessness and gross negligence?” That’s a good question. We expect both Lynch and Comey to stand firmly behind their stone wall — neither is going to admit the system is rigged. But that’s the clear message, and we hope voters act accordingly.