U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (Photo: Andrew Beckett)
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) says the American people deserve more answers about the FBI’s decision not to pursue charges against Hillary Clinton, following an extensive probe into the former Secretary of State and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee’s use of a private email server to conduct federal business.
Investigators on Tuesday said that, while the use of the server was reckless, they are not recommending Clinton or her colleagues face any charges. Johnson, who is facing reelection this fall, said he was surprised by the decision and questioned where the line is drawn between “extremely careless and grossly negligent.”
“I think she had reckless disregard for national security,” Johnson said.
AUDIO: Sen. Johnson reacts to the results of the FBI probe (1:26)
The Wisconsin Republican, who chairs the Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, said he’s talking with staff about whether hearings on the probe are needed to answer the many questions people have about the investigation. “I think the American people have a right to know, at a minimum, how much did this investigation cost because of Secretary Clinton’s overt attempt to circumvent the Freedom of Information Act and not allow her public records to actually be made public.”
Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) has indicated his chamber will hold hearings, telling Fox News that Clinton will “get away” with mishandling classified data, which the FBI said it found in her private email server.
UPDATE: The House did hold a hearing with FBI Director James Comey on Thursday. Clinton campaign press secretary Brian Fallon said in a statement that “despite the partisan motivations of this hearing, we are glad it took place and that Director Comey had the opportunity to expand upon his remarks from earlier this week. Director Comey’s testimony clearly knocked down a number of false Republican talking points and reconciled apparent contradictions between his previous remarks and Hillary Clinton’s public statements. The Director’s explanations shut the door on any remaining conspiracy theories once and for all. While Republicans may try to keep this issue alive, this hearing proved those efforts will only backfire.”