The FBI announced on Tuesday that it was not recommending to the Justice Department that it file charges against Hillary Clinton in response to her use of a private email server to transmit confidential information.
While this means Clinton is legally in the clear, it also opens up a new avenue for Republicans and other political adversaries to criticize her. True to form, many of the biggest names in conservative politics unloaded on Clinton and the Obama Administration for what they believe to be a miscarriage of justice.
Clinton’s presumptive opponent in this fall’s general election Donald Trump was among the first to weigh in on Twitter:
FBI director said Crooked Hillary compromised our national security. No charges. Wow! #RiggedSystem
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2016
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan also spoke up:
While I respect the professionals at the FBI, this announcement defies explanation. No one should be above the law. Pic.twitter.com/OqctxglquI
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) July 5, 2016
Republican Congressman Darrel Issa had words:
The FBI decision shows once again how the Clintons and others at the top get to live by a different set of rules from everyone else.
— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) July 5, 2016
As did Texas Senator and former Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz:
It feels good to be a Clinton —> https://t.co/fwTCBWhhNq
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 5, 2016
With the general election continuing to heat up, it is likely that Republicans will harp on the announcement, which was harsh in describing Clinton’s activities despite the decision not to recommend an indictment.