Hillary Clinton’s email continues to cause ripple effects across the political landscape. After FBI Director James Comey announced the agency would not proceed with criminal charges against Clinton for her private email use, opposing politicians are pushing for further punishment. Many are annoyed with Comey’s decision, as it amounts to a simple slap on the wrist for Clinton. Now, House Speaker Paul Ryan will be formally asking Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to block access of classified information for Clinton to use during the presidential campaign.
In a letter to Clapper, Ryan said Clinton’s carelessness shouldn’t be rewarded by allowing her to use classified information for her own benefit:
“There is no legal requirement for your to provide Secretary Clinton with classified information, and it would send the wrong signal to all those charged with safeguarding our nation’s secrets if you choose to provide her access to this information despite the FBI’s findings. I firmly believe this is necessary to reassure the public that our nation’s secrets are secure.”
Before she was appointed to Secretary of State in 2009, Clinton was using her private Blackberry and email to conduct business. She was told this method of communication wasn’t the most secure, but continued to use her own account for convenience. This ended up inspiring the hilarious Texts from Hillary meme, chastising from experts, the FBI investigation, and an epic mic drop from Edward Snowden.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) July 5, 2016
Ryan’s request comes on the heels of House Republicans meeting with Donald Trump, who has been outspoken with his criticism for all things Hillary Clinton.
Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said Wednesday the Republicans’ inquiries into the FBI investigation are unwarranted and that after two years of investigating, Clinton did no harm and Republicans are looking to create new controversy:
“One week after their two-year investigation into the Benghazi attacks turned up nothing new, House Republicans are launching yet another taxpayer-funded sham of an inquiry to try to hurt Hillary Clinton politically. For weeks Republicans have said they trusted FBI Director Comey to lead an independent review into Secretary Clinton’s emails, but now they are second-guessing his judgment because his findings do not align with their conspiracy theories.”
A number of top Republicans have asked Comey for more information about the FBI’s investigation and even want a special prosecutor to go over the case. After Loretta Lynch deferred to the FBI’s determination, it’s not terribly likely that the Republicans will get their way.
(Via ABC News)