The FBI won’t recommend criminal charges for Hillary Clinton based on the infamous e-mail scandal that has dominated the news for over a year, FBI director James Comey said Tuesday.
During a press conference, Comey said that 110 e-mails sent or received on Clinton’s server contained classified information. Comey explained “no reasonable prosecutor” would bring charges against Clinton in this scenario.
“Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case,” Comey said. “In looking back at our investigations into mishandling or removal of classified information, we cannot find a case that would support bringing criminal charges on these facts.”
Comey also said it is possible “hostile actors” gained access to Clinton’s personal e-mail account. FBI agents interviewed Clinton over the weekend as a final step of the investigation and today’s surprise announcement essentially removes the threat of criminal charges.
The announcement is obviously terrific news for the Clinton campaign, but the tone of Comey’s press conference could result in further damage to Clinton’s reputation.
“Although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information, there is evidence that they were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information,” Comey said.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who recently had a controversial meeting with Bill Clinton at an Arizona airport, said last week that she would accept the recommendations of Comey and his team. The Justice Department will now look into whether anyone else mishandled the classified information.
“I know there will be intense public debate in the wake of this recommendation, as there was throughout this investigation. What I can assure the American people is that this investigation was done competently, honestly and independently. No outside influence of any kind was brought to bear,” Comey said.
Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump took to Twitter to offer his opinion.
FBI director said Crooked Hillary compromised our national security. No charges. Wow! #RiggedSystem
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2016
The system is rigged. General Petraeus got in trouble for far less. Very very unfair! As usual, bad judgment.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2016
Here are some other reactions on social media:
I agree. The fix was in well before Lynch agreed that she would abide by #comey advice. https://t.co/1thXiXWG9r
— Airish1 (@airish1) July 5, 2016
extremely careless = gross negilgence … did someone check to see if Comey was flashing BS with his eyes via morse code?…cuz INSANE
— I'm NOT HERE…Catch me on GETTR or Gab (@rjacksix) July 5, 2016
.@Freedomfromu: Screw the @FBI and #Comey and @HillaryClinton im so ashamed of this damn government is makes me sick https://t.co/nLTE0RtpMG
— Slothana (@SlothanasCoinn) July 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/backwithblack/status/750354021441953792
People should keep in mind that James Comey was a PROSECUTOR who once ran DOJ day to day. He knows the law. #comey #ClintonEmails #Clinton
— Jerry Markon (@JerryMarkon) July 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/LATiffani1/status/750353940491825152
#theSystemisRigged Comey:"If you like your incompetent, corrupt candidate, you can keep your incompetent, corrupt candidate."
— Deplorable Me (@LKrukowski) July 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/RayRichardsonJr/status/750353900012789761
Comey calling Hillary "extremely reckless", revealing she lied about using only one device will be in a lot of commercials!
— MARK SIMONE (@MarkSimoneNY) July 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/riley909/status/750357322732478465
I'm guessing Comey gave that presser criticizing Clinton to protect himself from GOP criticism for not indicting #everyoneinDCisapolitician
— Michael A. Cohen (NOT TRUMP’S FORMER FIXER) (@speechboy71) July 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/_jajenkins/status/750357167937458179
Comey decision bizarrely allowing both sides to claim victory, making only clear winner every last political talk show pundit.
— Suzy Welch (@SuzyWelch) July 5, 2016
Thank you, FBI Director Comey, for solidifying my vote for @realDonaldTrump. #FBI #SystemIsRigged #AntiEstablishment #GovtSoCorrupt
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) July 5, 2016
Comey – "This is not to suggest that in similar circumstances, a person who engaged in this activity would face no consequences." Ahahahaha
— VDARE (@vdare) July 5, 2016
Another key #Comey finding: "no direct evidence" server hacked BUT "unlikely to see such direct evidence", clear risk info compromised
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) July 5, 2016