Is Clinton sophisticated enough to be president?: Takeaways from FBI chief testimony
For more than four and a half hours, FBI Director James Comey was raked over the coals by House lawmakers for his decision not to recommend charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of private email servers while head of the State Department.
On Thursday, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee grilled Comey over the bureau’s probe into Clinton’s emails, two days after he had recommended not bringing criminal charges against the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. From intent to perjury, from politics to security, lawmakers from both parties peppered Comey with questions. Here’s what we learned.
1 FBI ‘doesn’t give a hoot about politics’
BREAKING:“The decision was made by people who didn’t give a hoot about politics” says Comey. https://t.co/ru4MMeYJ9Rpic.twitter.com/nTqAt8kogk
— RT America (@RT_America) July 7, 2016
“I believe this investigation was conducted consistent with the highest traditions of the FBI. Our folks did it in an apolitical and professional way, including our recommendation as to the appropriate resolution of this case,” Comey said in his opening statement.
2 Did Clinton perjure herself?
Did Clinton perjure herself? No referral, no probe into sworn testimony ‒ Comey on Clinton’s statements pic.twitter.com/Gr7XL6S9YK
— RT America (@RT_America) July 7, 2016
3 Some thoughts on the security of Secretary Clinton's servers
4 Clinton’s statements were ‘not true’
In an exchange between Representative Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina) and the FBI director, the head of the House Select Committee on Benghazi repeatedly asked about Clinton’s previous statements. Comey consistently responded: “Not true.”
Rep. Trey Gowdy grills FBI director Comey on Clinton emails. #ComeyHearinghttps://t.co/ru4MMeYJ9Rpic.twitter.com/VahddQWgGc
— RT America (@RT_America) July 7, 2016
5 Democrats came up with some Clinton-friendly math
6 Trump and the timing conspiracy
Trump took Clinton conspiracy theories to “totally new level” ‒ Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) at #ComeyHearingpic.twitter.com/v1bWWlcpS8
— RT America (@RT_America) July 7, 2016
7 Don't compare Clinton to petty criminals
Ignorance isn’t bliss: Clinton’s email server the same thing as speeding, Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) said pic.twitter.com/7CL6u8Baap
— RT America (@RT_America) July 7, 2016
8 Comey insists his bureau did the right thing with no outside pressure
9 The question hanging in the air through the hearings
If Clinton isn’t sophisticated enough to know a classified marker, is she sophisticated enough to be president? pic.twitter.com/TUZuOhk6Mx
— RT America (@RT_America) July 7, 2016