Ryan: Block Clinton’s Access to Classified Materials

Clear Politics

James Arkin

Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, seen here campaigning in Kentucky in May, avoided criminal charges on Tuesday over her email practices.

FBI rebuke leaves a heavy political cloud over Clinton

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Hillary Clinton was “reckless” in handling classified materials on her private email server and should be denied access to classified materials during the general election campaign.

Speaking during a press conference Tuesday morning, Ryan said it “looks like” Clinton received preferential treatment from the FBI during its investigation into her email usage, and that FBI Director James Comey’s decision not to recommend criminal prosecution of the former secretary of state “raises more questions than provides answers.”

In seeking more information, several House committee chairmen confirmed top officials from the FBI and Justice Department will testify on Capitol Hill in coming days about the investigation. Republicans have been deeply critical of Comey’s announcement Tuesday despite his characterization of Clinton as “extremely careless” in handling classified materials.

Ryan went a step further, calling the presumptive Democratic nominee’s use of the private email server “reckless” and adding that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper should prevent her from accessing classified documents as a presidential candidate. (The parties’ presidential candidates routinely receive classified briefings after they are officially nominated – something Ryan himself received as the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2012.)

“Director Comey’s presentation shredded the claims that Secretary Clinton made throughout the year with respect to this issue,” Ryan said. “He laid out a case how the things she had been saying she had or had not done were false, so we have seen nothing but stonewalling and dishonesty from Secretary Clinton on this issue and that means there are a lot more questions that need to be answered.”

Ryan said he didn’t know whether there is any legislative solution that could block Clinton from receiving classified material, but added that exploring such an option is “the least we can do.” He said the administration should take action on its own, but he also wouldn’t rule out calling for a special prosecutor, saying, “We’re not going to foreclose any option.”

Republicans were swift in seeking more answers from Comey about the FBI investigation and why he did not recommend prosecuting Clinton. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called the decision “surprising and confusing” and announced that Comey will testify before the panel Thursday morning.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who said last week she planned to accept the FBI’s recommendation, is set to testify next week before the House Judiciary Committee. Chairman Bob Goodlatte said the FBI decision raises serious concerns, especially in light of Lynch’s highly criticized meeting with former President Bill Clinton last week.

“No one is above the law and the American people need to know that federal law enforcement is taking this misconduct seriously,” Goodlatte said in a statement.

Senate Republicans were also critical of Comey’s decision. Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said that in order to “avoid giving the impression that the FBI was pulling punches,” the bureau should release all the evidence and information related to the investigation.

Sen. Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, sent a letter to Comey on Tuesday asking for more detailed information from the probe, including how many employees were involved and how much it cost, as well as clarification of the difference between “extreme carelessness and gross negligence” in the handling of classified material.

The response shows that while Clinton will likely use the FBI’s conclusion to try to put the email scandal behind her as the Democratic convention approaches, Republicans are eager to keep the controversy alive. With lawmakers set to leave Washington for their summer recess as the end of next week, it’s possible inquiries into the investigation will stretch into the fall.

kommonsentsjane