Donald Trump immediately attacks FBI for letting Hillary Clinton off the hook

(Image credit: Marc Piscotty/Getty Images)

published 5 July 2016

Donald Trump wasted no time in concluding that the FBI's recommendation in the Hillary Clinton email case was just further evidence that "the system is rigged." Minutes after FBI Director James Comey wrapped up his announcement Tuesday that the bureau would not recommend criminal charges be pressed against Clinton for her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state, Trump fired off a couple of pointed tweets. He even referenced former CIA Director David Petraeus' charges — which included two years probation and a fine of $100,000 — for the mishandling of classified information:

However, what Trump failed to note in his quick judgment of Comey is that Comey is also a Republican. Moreover, FBI directors serve 10-year terms to ensure their political impartiality.

Comey concluded Tuesday that while Clinton and her staff were "extremely careless" in their handling of classified information, there was no "intentional misconduct." The Department of Justice will make the final call in whether or not to press charges, though Attorney General Loretta Lynch has already indicated she will follow the FBI's recommendation.