GOP Says Double Standard, Dems Say "Political Theater" In Comey Questioning
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – FBI Director James Comey answered questions on Capitol Hill Thursday about the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
Comey faced strong questions from Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. They are angry over his decision not to recommend charges against Hillary Clinton for using a private email server while she was secretary of state.
"What does it take for someone to misuse classified information and get in trouble for it," asked Rep. William Hurd (R-Texas).
Republicans said Clinton is the beneficiary of a legal double standard.
"It seems to me that the average joe - the average American - that if they had done what you laid out in your statement, that they'd be in handcuffs," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).
"But if you're Hillary Clinton and you seek a promotion to commander-in-chief, you will not be," said Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina)
Comey said he followed the facts and the law.
"I understand why people are confused by the whole discussion - I get that. But you know what would be a double standard? If she were prosecuted for gross negligence," said Comey.
Democrats on the committee countered the Republican claims by calling the entire proceeding "political theater."
"It's exactly what you want in law enforcement, until the decision is not the decision you want," said Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands).
"In their eyes, you had one job and one job only - to prosecute Hillary Clinton," said Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland).
Lawmakers now want the FBI to investigate whether Clinton lied under oath to Congress on questions she may have answered differently to the FBI.
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