The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday, Feb. 14, it will not pursue criminal charges against former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe for allegedly lying to investigators about media leaks, spurring outrage from Republicans.

“We write to inform you that, after careful consideration, the government has decided not to pursue criminal charges against your client, Andrew G. McCabe,” prosecutors wrote to McCabe’s lawyer. “Based on the totality of the circumstances and all of the information known to the government at this time, we consider the matter closed.”

McCabe said that he’s glad the DOJ “finally decided to do the right thing” but slammed the lengthy process.

“It is an absolute disgrace that they took two years, and put my family through this experience for two years, before they finally drew the obvious conclusion and one they could have drawn a long, long time ago,” he said.

In another interview with CNN where McCabe works as a contributor, he said he was “unfairly branded a liar” and removed from the bureau at the direction of President Donald Trump.

“The disgrace is that Andrew McCabe is not going to be behind bars,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) reacted to McCabe statement. 

“He leaked, He lied about leaking. Then he lied about lying about leaking,” Gaetz told Fox News. “We can’t live in a world where an old FBI business card doubles as a get-out-of-jail-free card when people break the law.

Gaetz said he still has “total confidence” in Attorney General Bill Barr despite the DOJ’s decision.

“I think there’s still probably a little swamp left to be drained at the Department of Justice.” he added. 

The FBI’s Office of Professional Responsibility recommended McCabe’s firing from the bureau after investigators with that office and the Justice Department’s office of the inspector general found that he repeatedly misstated his involvement in a leak to The Wall Street Journal regarding an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation.

Other GOP lawmakers also raised questions over the DOJ’s move.

“Charged for false statements: Flynn (R), Stone (R), Papadapoulos (R),” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) wrote in a tweet. “IG found 4 false statements from Andy McCabe (D). No charges and welcomed as a hero by left-wing media.” 

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) called the DOJ’s decision on McCabe “the greatest injustice.”

The developments came amid a tumultuous week at the Justice Department and Barr has been under fire over the case of Roger Stone. 

As for the case against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, the DOJ on Friday has tapped an outside prosecutor to review the case.

“When did laws stop applying to law enforcement??” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) asked. “DOJ/FBI should be held to same standard as rest of us.”

Tags: Categories: Politics