“I’m going to capitulate to your prodigious dissimulation skills”, the visibly frustrated Franks replied, adding that deciding on the prosecution is her job, not that of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “I saw no reason not to accept it”, Lynch testified.
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Ohio Rep. Steve Chabot called the recommendation Lynch accepted “disheartening” and “unfortunate”.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch is repeatedly deflecting questions about the conclusion of the Justice Department’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.
In a separate legal filing, the State Department said it also opposes allowing depositions by Clinton and two other officials.
Following Comey’s recommendation, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the DOJ would not pursue charges against Clinton.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia halted a hearing and told Lynch that her refusal to discuss the investigation represented an “abdication of your responsibility”.
“This lack of specific intent is not a defense in any of those cases”, Gowdy said.
Letter-writer Mark Rawlins’ suggestion that the Republicans are responsible (even in part) for Hillary Clinton’s lying about her use of a private e-mail server, and the sending and receiving of classified materials, made me laugh out loud.
Republicans were stunned that Ms. Lynch refused to answer questions.
Democrats, in the meantime, did what they do best: attacked Republicans for holding the hearing and changed the subject to issues that promote their political agendas.
Rep. John Conyers, (D-Mich.) chastised GOP lawmakers for zeroing in on Clinton instead of “gun violence and civil rights”.
Goodlatte and Republican Representative Jason Chaffetz asked the Justice Department on Monday to investigate whether Clinton committed perjury in testimony to Congress about the emails.
Of course, Clinton is dreaming if she believes she’s heard the last of emails.
The issue of policing and discrimination against blacks was also raised by lawmakers as nationwide demonstrations are being held to protest the police shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The nation’s “sense of safety has been shaken by the series of devastating events that rocked our nation last week”, Lynch said.
Goodlatte said she should have recused herself from the email probe entirely and appointed a special prosecutor, given her prior relationship with Bill Clinton.
The FBI findings, especially Comey’s remarks, could reinforce a view of Clinton among many voters that she is dishonest and exercises poor judgment.
In a letter to Ryan obtained by CNN, Clapper wrote that he “does not intend to withhold briefings from any officially nominated, eligible candidate”.
Members of the committee, mostly Republicans, pressed Lynch on questions surrounding FBI Director James Comey’s recommendation to not charge Clinton, to which Lynch referred to Comey’s previous statements.
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Americans have become increasingly positive about Clinton this month, with half of likely voters now saying they have a favourable view of her, according to the poll, up from 46 per cent on July 1.
