Progressive One

By Kelly Cohen (@politicohen_) • 3/9/16 12:11 PM

Attorney General Loretta Lynch indicated Wednesday that the law doesn't require the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email system, even if the FBI recommends criminal charges.

Lynch was asked in a hearing by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, what her department would do if the FBI were to recommend that step. "If the FBI were to make a referral to the Department of Justice to pursue a case by way of indictment and to convene a grand jury for that purpose, the Department of Justice is not required by law to do so, are they — are you?" Cornyn asked.

Lynch didn't answer directly, but seemed to indicate the department has some wiggle room, and can consult with officials before deciding what to do.

"It would not be an operation of law, it would be an operation of procedures," Lynch said in reply. She added that the decision to pursue a criminal case would be "done in conjunction with the agents" involved in the investigation. "It's not something that we would want to cut them out of the process."
Republicans have been pushing for charges against Clinton, but at the same time, many have predicted that the Obama administration would never allow the Justice Department to bring charges against Clinton for including classified and top secret information on her personal emails. Some Republican p**********l candidates, including Donald Trump, have said Clinton is desperately hoping to win the White House in order to avoid the criminal charges that could be brought under a Republican administration.

Lynch also dodged questions about the decision to grant immunity to a former staffer of Hillary Clinton at the State Department who helped her set up her own private email system at home.

Cornyn pressed Lynch on the Justice Department's role in reportedly granting immunity to Bryan Pagliano, a former Clinton staffer involved in the set-up of her "homebrew" email server.

"If in fact this was immunity granted by a court, that had to be done under the auspices and with the approval of the Department of Justice, which you head," Cornyn said to Lynch.

But Lynch declined to talk about that part of the case.

"We don't discuss the specifics of any ongoing investigation," Lynch said. "With respect to the procedure relating to any specific witness, I would not be able to comment."

"With respect to Mr. Pagliano or anyone who has been identified as a potential witness in any case, I'm not able to comment on the specifics," Lynch added.

Later on in response to a question from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Lynch said she has never discussed the Clinton email investigation with Present Obama, spokesman Josh Earnest or anyone else at the White House. Graham asked that question in order to ask how Earnest would have any information about the case that he would use to downplay its importance.

"It's my hope, when it comes to ongoing investigations, that we all would stay silent," she said.

Ricko Loc: Florida

Dem2016-looks like the fix is already in. Lynch probably has her marching orders and will obfuscate forever. So much for equal justice under the law. Petraeus is hung out to dry and Hillary campaigns. A President Trump would see to it that justice ultimately prevails. Good Luck America !!!

Progressive One

I understand, what is legal under the law is truly legal according to then right when it benefits them. It is like telling a constitutional law professor that they do not know jack sh-t about how the Constitution works. Expected.

Cool Breeze

I think It's time for the republicans to take their pants to the cleaners. They have "creamed" in them with their obsession with Hilary's E Mails!

Ricko Loc: Florida

Dem2016-Petraues shared classified documents with a person who had a security clearance but his mistake was that the documents were in an unsecured, albeit well guarded area, his home. Hillary had highly classified materials on an unsecured server for the world to see at her home. Petraeus did not have SAP material. Hillary did. She personally originated classified emails but apparently was too incompetent to recognize them as such. Yet, she wants to be entrusted with the security of our country. Are you not able to discern the gravity of it all and the depth of her incompetence ? Good Luck America !!!

reconreb Loc: America / Inglis Fla.

If true ,, was there any dought the corrupt DOJ , will not charge the corrupt haggary clinton.. :roll: :roll:

Progressive One

that and repealing ObamaCare.

Ricko Loc: Florida

Dem2016-Obamacare will repeal itself once enough democrats are faced with ever increasing premiums. Might take a while because most dems are subsidized or on medicaid. Good Luck America !!!!

Progressive One

Time will tell if you are accurate, correct?

Cool Breeze

Is this what you gleaned from the Petraeus Incident? Are you some kind of i***t? Behold!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/23/timeline-general-david-petraeus-paula-broadwell-jill-kelley/26245095/ In case you missed it! There is no excuse for your selective reasoning.

markinny

who cares about lynch.

Ricko Loc: Florida

Cool Breeze-Petraeus , in short, pleaded guilty to mis-handling of classified information. Which grants better access to such material by a foreign government, an unlocked desk drawer in a private home or an unsecured server which can be hacked by anyone desiring to do so ? I do not care about the man's personal life but I do care about the nation's secrets being put out there for anyone to view. The SAP data found on Hillary's server is critical in that it could directly affect the lives of the people involved including their demise. I do not believe Petraeus had any such information. If Hillary skates, Petraeus should have his conviction overturned. Good Luck America !!!

peter11937 Loc: NYS

Rick, good assessment. Short and factual.

Cool Breeze

You are not the military comrade. His conduct was unbecoming of an Officer. A armchair patriot haven't a clue.

Cool Breeze

Nope! You are incorrect. Sorry!