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FBI chief James Comey faces questions over Clinton emails
House Republicans have called FBI Director James Comey to testify about Hillary Clinton's use of private email as secretary of state.
On Tuesday, the FBI recommended Mrs Clinton, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, should not face criminal charges in the matter. However, Mr Comey said Mrs Clinton and her staff were "extremely careless" in handling classified materials. Over 100 classified messages were found on her email servers, the FBI said. Mrs Clinton had previously said she had not knowingly sent or received classified material from her private email account.
Mr Comey will testify on Thursday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Republican Jason Chaffetz. "The FBI's recommendation is surprising and confusing," Mr Chaffetz said. "The fact pattern presented by Director Comey makes clear Secretary Clinton violated the law," he said. "Individuals who intentionally skirt the law must be held accountable."
Analysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
The charge that the former secretary of state was "extremely careless" would not have nearly the same impact if it came from a Republican politician. In fact, many conservatives have tried tagging Mr Clinton with much, much worse.
Instead the man delivering the very public rebuke is a career law enforcement official with a sterling reputation for rectitude and probity. Videos of Comey's statement have already found their way into a Republican attack advert - with many more sure to come.
The FBI's key findings about Mrs Clinton's emails:
- It is possible that "hostile actors" gained access to Mrs Clinton's email account
- There were more than 100 emails that contained classified information when they were sent or received, contrary to her claim she never sent classified emails
- But there was no evidence she had knowingly shared sensitive material
- She did not delete emails in an effort to conceal them
The email scandal has become a key political talking point, with Republicans saying Mrs Clinton thinks she is above the law. Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump called the decision "very unfair" and said it was proof that they system was rigged.
Mrs Clinton said she had set up the email address for reasons of convenience, because it had been easier to do everything from one device than to have several phones or tablets. She later apologised for using the private email system, calling it "a mistake".
House Speaker Paul Ryan said it appears that Mrs Clinton was given preferential treatment by the FBI, and the purpose of the hearing is to try to answer a number of questions about the inquiry. He questioned whether Mrs Clinton could receive classified briefings as a presidential candidate following the release of the FBI's findings.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch has also been called to testify before the committee on 12 July.
House Republicans have called FBI Director James Comey to testify about Hillary Clinton's use of private email as secretary of state.
On Tuesday, the FBI recommended Mrs Clinton, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, should not face criminal charges in the matter. However, Mr Comey said Mrs Clinton and her staff were "extremely careless" in handling classified materials. Over 100 classified messages were found on her email servers, the FBI said. Mrs Clinton had previously said she had not knowingly sent or received classified material from her private email account.
Mr Comey will testify on Thursday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Republican Jason Chaffetz. "The FBI's recommendation is surprising and confusing," Mr Chaffetz said. "The fact pattern presented by Director Comey makes clear Secretary Clinton violated the law," he said. "Individuals who intentionally skirt the law must be held accountable."
Analysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
The charge that the former secretary of state was "extremely careless" would not have nearly the same impact if it came from a Republican politician. In fact, many conservatives have tried tagging Mr Clinton with much, much worse.
Instead the man delivering the very public rebuke is a career law enforcement official with a sterling reputation for rectitude and probity. Videos of Comey's statement have already found their way into a Republican attack advert - with many more sure to come.
The FBI's key findings about Mrs Clinton's emails:
- It is possible that "hostile actors" gained access to Mrs Clinton's email account
- There were more than 100 emails that contained classified information when they were sent or received, contrary to her claim she never sent classified emails
- But there was no evidence she had knowingly shared sensitive material
- She did not delete emails in an effort to conceal them
The email scandal has become a key political talking point, with Republicans saying Mrs Clinton thinks she is above the law. Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump called the decision "very unfair" and said it was proof that they system was rigged.
Mrs Clinton said she had set up the email address for reasons of convenience, because it had been easier to do everything from one device than to have several phones or tablets. She later apologised for using the private email system, calling it "a mistake".
House Speaker Paul Ryan said it appears that Mrs Clinton was given preferential treatment by the FBI, and the purpose of the hearing is to try to answer a number of questions about the inquiry. He questioned whether Mrs Clinton could receive classified briefings as a presidential candidate following the release of the FBI's findings.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch has also been called to testify before the committee on 12 July.
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