GOP lawmakers reacted to the Justice Department’s Inspector General report, which determined that former FBI Director James Comey violated FBI policies, calling it a “stunning and unprecedented rebuke.”

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released a forceful statement following the report’s release.

“The Inspector General’s report is a stunning and unprecedented rebuke of a former Director of the FBI,” Graham said in a statement.

“This is the first of what I expect will be several more ugly and damning rebukes of senior DOJ and FBI officials regarding their actions and biases toward the Trump campaign of 2016,” he continued.

“I appreciate the time and effort Mr. Horowitz and his team spent documenting the off-the-rails behavior of Mr. Comey regarding the leaking of law enforcement materials to the media,” he added, congratulating Horowitz for “reinforcing the proper standards expected of senior DOJ and FBI officials”:

This is the first of what I expect will be several more ugly and damning rebukes of senior DOJ and FBI officials regarding their actions and biases toward the Trump campaign of 2016. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 29, 2019

I also appreciate Mr. Horowitz for reinforcing the proper standards expected of senior DOJ and FBI officials. Well done Mr. Horowitz. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 29, 2019

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), chairman of the Freedom Caucus, also responded on Twitter.

“Regarding the IG report, what’s perhaps most rich,” he began, and added, “James Comey constantly described himself as acting in favor of a thorough process and transparency—even as he routinely hid information from President Trump about the dossier’s shoddy credibility and Clinton paid-for origins”:

The IG Report on Director Comey is out: "We conclude that Comey’s retention, handling, and dissemination of certain Memos violated Department and FBI policies, and his FBI Employment Agreement" It says he "set a dangerous example for the over 35,000 current FBI employees" Wow — Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) August 29, 2019

Regarding the IG report, what's perhaps most rich: James Comey constantly described himself as acting in favor of a thorough process and transparency—even as he routinely hid information from President Trump about the dossier's shoddy credibility and Clinton paid-for origins — Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) August 29, 2019

He also released a lengthier statement:

Today’s Inspector General report on former FBI Director James Comey is deeply troubling, and yet another disturbing reminder of how the director deliberately used his position of power to target a President he personally didn’t like. By leaking his confidential communications with President Trump, improperly disclosing FBI documents, and disregarding multiple department policies, James Comey violated President Trump’s civil liberties and severely damaged the FBI’s credibility. In the same hypocritical breath, he took detailed notes of conversations with President Trump—and then routinely hid pertinent information from the President about the dossier’s shoddy credibility and its Clinton paid-for origins. Perhaps most troubling, it’s clear Comey’s deliberate, calculated conduct was part of an intentional effort on the part of a few rogue FBI and DOJ leaders, Comey included, to undermine a duly elected President. To say the least: James Comey’s actions were selfish, inappropriate, and blatantly contrary to the policies which he claimed to uphold. The Inspector General and his team should be applauded for their diligent work in exposing this dangerous, absurd behavior to the American people. This is the first of what we can expect to be more disclosures holding former FBI and DOJ officials accountable for their improper conduct against President Trump and his campaign. I look forward to those findings.

“Hey @Comey, the facts are in,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) wrote, listing portions of the IG report:

Hey @Comey, the facts are in: “Comey failed to live up to this responsibility” “Comey set a dangerous example for…current FBI employees” “We conclude that Comey’s retention, handling, and dissemination of certain Memos violated Department and FBI policies” -IG Report https://t.co/XXcGcyESfq — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) August 29, 2019

"The responsibility to protect sensitive law enforcement information falls in large part to the employees of the FBI… Former Director Comey FAILED to live up to this responsibility." -Inspector General Report https://t.co/ea000xDdXv — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) August 29, 2019

“Now we know why Comey didn’t want to prosecute Clinton—he didn’t see a problem mishandling sensitive information,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) wrote.

“After clearing her, he did it too! Comey, like Clinton, thinks he’s above the law,” he continued, in addition to a lengthier statement:

Now we know why Comey didn’t want to prosecute Clinton—he didn’t see a problem mishandling sensitive information. After clearing her, he did it too! Comey, like Clinton, thinks he’s above the law. — Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) August 29, 2019

🚨#BREAKING: Read @Jim_Jordan’s statement on DOJ IG Report Regarding James Comey pic.twitter.com/CKF5FTQUBW — Oversight Committee Republicans (@GOPoversight) August 29, 2019

More:

Comey weaponized the Justice Dept, abused powers as a sword instead of a shield, ignored rules & committed misconduct that could accurately be summed up as salacious & verified. This isn't ok or excusable & shouldn't be considered legal. Today's latest: https://t.co/CEOwvRwmZ3 — Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) August 29, 2019

DOJ Inspector General: “We conclude that Comey’s retention, handling, and dissemination of certain Memos violated Department and FBI policies, and his FBI Employment Agreement." Comey’s Response: Demand an apology *Narcissitic Personality Disorder (NPD) https://t.co/yGKtSApGVS — Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) August 29, 2019

Today’s IG report confirms James Comey violated the FBI's own standards and was dishonest about how he handled classified material. It's time to restore Americans' confidence that federal law enforcement is committed to justice and free from political gamesmanship. Statement: pic.twitter.com/J2eb7xN0P6 — Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) August 29, 2019

Today’s report from Inspector General Horowitz confirms what we have known for some time: James Comey violated FBI policies and lied about leaking classified materials in an attempt to harm President Trump. Read my full statement below: https://t.co/Y7fYCSizrm — Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) August 29, 2019

“We conclude that Comey’s retention, handling, and dissemination of certain Memos violated Department and FBI policies, and his FBI Employment Agreement”https://t.co/5PfTIiOiGL — Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) August 29, 2019

More from the report: “Comey set a dangerous example for the over 35,000 current FBI employees—and the many thousands more former FBI employees—who similarly have access to or knowledge of non-public information.” https://t.co/YatPOF5q9f — Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) August 29, 2019

DOJ IG Michael Horowitz is one of the best IGs in government and a warrior for transparency. He already referred @Comey for prosecution for leaking classified info, and now the American people get to see the real extent of Comey's disgraceful conduct. — Rep. Jody Hice (@CongressmanHice) August 29, 2019

“Comey set a dangerous example for the over 35,000 current FBI employees—and the many thousands more former FBI employees—who similarly have access to or knowledge of non-public information,” the [DOJ IG] report says.https://t.co/z292ddQ5Sy — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) August 29, 2019

The report released Thursday morning revealed that Comey violated FBI rules by leaking memos of private conversations with President Trump.

“However, Comey’s own, personal conception of what was necessary was not an appropriate basis for ignoring the policies and agreements governing the use of FBI records,” the report stated.

“We conclude that Comey’s retention, handling, and dissemination of certain Memos violated Department and FBI policies, and his FBI Employment Agreement,” it added.

The DOJ ultimately declined to prosecute the former FBI director.

“Upon completing its investigation, the OIG provided its factual findings to the Justice Department for a prosecutorial decision regarding Comey’s conduct, as required by the Inspector General Act,” the office stated.

“After reviewing the matter, the DOJ declined prosecution,” it added.