Would Hillary Clinton have done the same for Trump?
During a press conference on Thursday, former President Donald Trump discussed his decision not to prosecute Hillary Clinton, his rival in the 2016 presidential race. Trump expressed that pursuing legal action against Clinton would have been detrimental to the nation.
Clinton faced significant federal scrutiny over her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State. Former FBI Director James Comey reported in July 2016 that among the 30,000 emails Clinton provided to the State Department, 110 emails in 52 chains had classified intel when they were sent or received, including 8 labeled Top Secret. Clinton was also criticized for erasing countless other emails. Despite Comey’s acknowledgment of Clinton’s “extremely careless” handling of sensitive information, he did not recommend charges from the DOJ.
Trump stated, “I could have taken actions against Hillary Clinton that would have been shocking, but I believed it would be harmful to our country to imprison the wife of a former president. It’s striking to see how differently I’m treated now, compared to how they were treated.”
Trump’s remarks also touched on the current political climate, noting the contrast between how his administration was scrutinized and the ongoing legal challenges he faces from President Joe Biden’s Justice Department and Democrat district attorneys in Georgia and New York. The press conference, covered by Newsmax, marked Trump’s first appearance since Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
Trump further reflected on his decision not to prosecute Clinton, emphasizing, “I was very protective of her. Despite the calls to ‘lock her up,’ I felt it was crucial for the unity of the country that we move past the issue. Clinton had even destroyed evidence after receiving a Congressional subpoena, but taking such extreme measures against her would have been divisive.”
When asked to compare Clinton with Vice President Kamala Harris in terms of presidential capabilities, Trump asserted, “In terms of intelligence, Hillary was far superior. She was highly intelligent but often her own worst enemy. Nonetheless, her intellectual capability was notable.”
Trump’s comments underscore his belief in prioritizing national unity over political retribution and highlight the stark contrasts he perceives between the treatment of himself and his predecessors.