On Thursday, FBI Director James Comey testified in front of the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about his recommendation for the FBI to issue no charges against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The hearing went on for nearly four hours, but PJ Media has complied the 5 big statements during the event.
Just a brief recap: On Tuesday, Comey made a speech declaring Clinton’s use of a private email server as “extremely careless,” but effectively exonerating her from any federal charges. Many saw this as a “double standard,” especially because Comey’s comments revealed Clinton’s declarations on the email scandal to be huge lies — just check out this Reason TV video on it.
Republicans and Democrats asked important questions, and Comey responded or failed to respond. Here are the five big moments you shouldn’t miss:
1. This was not a Republican witch-hunt.
North Carolina Republican Representative Mark Walker asked Comey about the political nature of the FBI investigation. Comey made clear that “it wasn’t Republicans or Congress who asked for the investigation,” but it was suggested by the State Department inspector general. “This was not a Republican witch-hunt,” he explicitly said.
Walker pointed out that many of the congresswomen who have praised Comey as a public servant after his decision not to charge Hillary Clinton were the same people who attacked the FBI for running an investigation on “frivolous” issues earlier. These Democrats also argued that the entire investigation was a “Republican witch-hunt,” when it was not.
2. Hillary’s email was less secure than a Gmail account that hackers are paid $180 to hack into.
Iowa Republican Congressman Rod Blum asked Comey about the security of Hillary Clinton’s private email server. The FBI director said that yes, “even a basic free account, a Gmail account, had better security than she did.” Blum emphasized that people are paid roughly $180 to hack into a Gmail account, suggesting that it is relatively easy to do so, and that Clinton’s server was extraordinarily unprotected from potential foreign hackers.
Comey agrees that Hillary’s security was weaker than Gmail’s, which people are paid only about $180 to hack into #ComeyHearing @PJMedia_com
— Tyler O’Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) July 7, 2016
Next Page: Was there no “double standard”?
3. There was “no double standard.”
During the hearing, Comey argued that his decision not to prosecute Clinton for her email scandal is not a “double standard,” because any government employee caught being this “extremely careless” would be punished but not prosecuted. There is no double standard because Clinton is no longer in public service, so she could not be punished with a demotion or some other work-related punishment. Georgia Republican Congressman Jody Hice noted that Comey admitted Clinton was extremely careless and put national security at risk, saying that “the American people are reasonably irate.” He didn’t seem to buy Comey’s explanation that there was no double standard. Americans will also likely find it hard to accept.
4. The State Department’s security culture is lacking, and the FBI is not investigating it.
California Representative Mark DeSaulnier — a Democrat — acknowledged that “the security culture of the State Department in general was lacking.” Then Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie asked Comey whether it would “require intent for someone to put a secure document into an insecure setting.” Comey said it might. Then Massie asked whether someone “down the chain” was being investigated for intent to send secure information on an insecure system, and Comey said they are not investigating anyone on this issue.
5. Does Clinton deserve prison time for lying under oath?
Representative Walker asked another key question. Noting that Clinton made comments under oath which Comey himself said were false, wouldn’t she be guilty of lying under oath? Comey said it wasn’t clear whether she did it or not (which was odd) but he did admit that “it’s a felony that carries years in prison.” If you have any doubt about Clinton lying about this issue, watch this video.
Bonus: Who hasn’t seen “Hamilton” yet?
Florida Republican Congressman John Mica asked Comey if he had seen the Broadway show “Hamilton.” He had not, but he wants to. Mica hadn’t seen the play either.
Rep. John Mica: Have you seen the Broadway show “Hamilton”? Comey: Not yet, I’m hoping to https://t.co/ixbo4KdXye https://t.co/cZgBC63GIX — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 7, 2016
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