Update: Ryan formally requested Clinton be denied classified intel. In a letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, the House Speaker asked for the Democratic nominee to be shielded from sensitive information for the remainder of her candidacy.
**Original Post**
House Speaker Paul Ryan was quick to react to the FBI’s decision to let Hillary Clinton off the hook for her reckless use of a private email server in the State Department. “No one is above the law,” he said. Then, on Tuesday evening, Ryan backed up those comments by recommending the Democratic nominee be prohibited from receiving any classified information ahead of the general election, usually a routine practice for presidential candidates.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday night that the director of national intelligence "should block" Hillary Clinton's access to classified information as a presidential candidate.
As Leah wrote, Ryan also said the GOP fully intends to further investigate her email abuse and will hold a set of hearings.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was likewise dumbfounded by FBI Director James Comey’s contradictory remarks. Comey explained how Clinton handled 110 classified emails on a private server and how “reckless” the State Department was under her watch, yet the agency would not be pursuing charges.
“Director Comey has rewritten a clearly worded federal criminal statute,” Cruz said in a statement. “In so doing, he has come dangerously close to saying that grossly negligent handling of classified information should not result in serious consequences for high-level officials. In a nation where the rule of law is supposed to matter, this is troubling.”
It’s not just Republican lawmakers who are disgusted and surprised by the FBI’s failing to hold Clinton accountable. On Wednesday morning, “Fox and Friends” host Steve Doocy asked several streetgoers in New York whether what Clinton did was criminal, or simply careless. It was unanimous: Criminal.