House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday that the FBI's decision not to recommend charges against Hillary Clinton in its email investigation "defies explanation."

"No one should be above the law," said Ryan, the highest-ranking Republican in elected office.

He continued: "But based upon the director's own statement, it appears damage is being done to the rule of law."

FBI Director James Comey acknowledged at a Tuesday news conference that it was illegal for officials to "mishandle classified information either intentionally or in a grossly negligent way." He characterized Clinton's handling of such intelligence as "extremely careless" but nevertheless said the bureau would not recommend that the Department of Justice file charges.

"Declining to prosecute Secretary Clinton for recklessly mishandling and transmitting national security information will set a terrible precedent," Ryan said.

The House speaker noted that the FBI contradicted a key claim Clinton had made publicly dozens of times over the past year over whether emails she sent or received contained classified information.

"The findings of this investigation also make clear that Secretary Clinton misled the American people when she was confronted with her criminal actions," he said.

Ryan added that "more information" was needed "about how the Bureau came to this recommendation."

"The American people will reject this troubling pattern of dishonesty and poor judgment," he said.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said last week that she would accept the FBI's recommendation in the investigation into Clinton's use of a private email system as secretary of state.

NOW WATCH: FBI director recommends no charges for Hillary Clinton's email server





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