White House press secretary Josh Ernest says the Obama administration will “neither defend nor criticize” FBI chief James Comey for his bombshell decision to announce further investigation of Hillary Clinton’s email days before the 2016 presidential election.
Earnest describes Comey as a “man of integrity,” but does point to norms that “limit public discussion of facts that are collected in the context” of ongoing investigations.
“The president believes that it’s important for those norms and traditions and guidelines to be followed,” the spokesman says.
Earnest also says Obama does not think Comey is trying to sway the outcome of the November 8 vote — the view of many Clinton supporters.
FBI Director James Comey in July, 2016 (YouTube screenshot)
“The president doesn’t believe that he’s secretly strategizing to benefit one candidate or one political party,” says Earnest, according to CNN. “He’s in a tough spot, and he’s the one who will be in a position to defend his actions in the face of significant criticism from a variety of legal experts, including individuals who served in senior Department of Justice positions in administrations led by presidents in both parties.”
— AFP and Times of Israel staff
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