Ex-DOJ Spox: Comey Broke Rules With 'Outrageous' Presser On Clinton Emails

[SunSeeker]

A former Justice Department spokesman under former Attorney General Eric Holder called FBI Director James Comey's press conference announcing he would not recommend charges against Hillary Clinton over her email servers "absolutely outrageous."

In a series of posts on Twitter, Matthew Miller said the FBI and DOJ are "supposed to speak in court," not press conferences.

Miller also tweeted the presser was symptomatic of Clinton yet again getting "worse treatment than anyone else would."

He also suggested that Comey's announcement violated DOJ rules about disclosing information about ongoing investigations.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/matthew-miller-comey-doj-hillary-clinton

[PJMcK]

1. Director Comey is, well, the Director of the FBI

I would think he could do pretty much anything he wants to regarding the policies of his department. The fact that this story has been hanging over the presidential election created an extraordinary circumstance. If there were no charges to be sought, it would be unethical to remain silent while the issue is used in the presidential campaign.

Director Comey's personal comments and editorial thoughts were way out of bounds, however. But they don't carry any force of law and they'll be forgotten soon enough. Even the staunchest right wing loudmouths knew this was going to happen.

Maybe Matthew Miller, the former DOJ spokesman, just needed something to say on Secretary Clinton's behalf.

[lapucelle]

2. There are rules, and by Comey's own admission, he broke them.

"I have not coordinated or reviewed this statement in any way with the Department of Justice or any other part of the government. They do not know what I am about to say."

https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/statement-by-fbi-director-james-b.-comey-on-the-investigation-of-secretary-hillary-clintons-use-of-a-personal-e-mail-system

1-7.401 - Guidance for Press Conferences and Other Media Contacts
https://www.justice.gov/usam/usam-1-7000-media-relations#1-7.400

[SunSeeker]

3. Agreed, Comey's personal comments and editorial thoughts were way out of bounds.

All he should have done was make the factual statement that he was not recommending criminal charges. The rest was over the top partisan scolding, and very unprofessional, if not a violation of FBI rules.

[PSPS]

4. And, as such, should act in a non-partisan way. This was clearly a partisan action on his part.

[PJMcK]

6. Agreed, PSPS

And I voiced my disquiet about Director Comey's behavior in the OP. But there's nothing to be done about it, is there?

My point is this: what difference does it make? Sure, the GOP will try to use his statements in attack ads but they're blunted by the fact that no charges are being brought against Secretary Clinton. Coupled with her resilience in the face of adversities, she'll weather this and move on. I'm sure she already has.

Mrs. Clinton looked really good standing behind President Obama's podium today!

[uponit7771]

5. lofl, there needs to be a one year investigation on his rule breaking