The private meeting between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonDolly Parton remembers Ginsburg: 'Her voice was soft but her message rang loud' Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Calls grow for Biden to expand election map in final sprint MORE has created a political firestorm, fueling criticism of the Justice Department’s investigation into Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE’s private email server.

The disclosure of the 30-minute meeting — which was described as an unplanned social visit on an airport tarmac in Phoenix — has stirred rampant speculation about what might have been discussed by the former president and the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

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Donald Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, called the “sneak” meeting, which took place Monday night, “one of the big stories of this week, of this month, of this year.”

“I’ve been talking about the rigged system, how it’s rigged,” he said. “And you know, this is terrible, and nobody can understand why nothing’s happened.”

Some Democrats also criticized the meeting. David Axelrod, the former senior adviser to President Obama, tweeted that while he took Lynch and Clinton "at their word" that the email investigation didn't come up in their conversation, it was "foolish to create such optics" by meeting.

"I do agree with you that it doesn't send the right signal," Sen. Chris Coons Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsBiden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-Del.) said Thursday on CNN's "New Day." Coons said he considers Lynch to be an "independent attorney general" and has "generally shown excellent judgment" in her role.

Still, Coons said Lynch should have held off on seeing Bill Clinton at all until after the election. "I don't think it sends the right signal. I think she should have steered clear even of a brief, casual, social meeting with the former president," Coons said.

Sen. John Cornyn John CornynCalls grow for Biden to expand election map in final sprint Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Chamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection MORE (R-Texas), the Senate majority whip who has previously pushed for a special counsel to investigate Hillary Clinton’s emails, tweeted that Lynch "must avoid even the appearance of conflict."

The controversy is creating a new headache for Clinton's presidential campaign, which has for months been dogged by questions about the FBI’s investigation into her private server. That review, focused on the handling of classified information, is said to be in its final stages.

The server investigation is being handled by a number of FBI investigators and federal prosecutors. But a case this high profile has surely drawn in Lynch’s personal oversight, former officials have said.

Bill Clinton, who was visiting the Phoenix area, heard Lynch would be arriving at the Sky Harbor airport as part of her national tour promoting community policing and waited for her arrival before boarding her plane, according to ABC15, which first reported the meeting.

Lynch confirmed at a news conference Tuesday in Phoenix that she and her husband had spoken with the former president.

"Our conversation was a great deal about his grandchildren. It was primarily social and about our travels; he mentioned golf he played in Phoenix," Lynch said Tuesday afternoon at the Phoenix Police Department.

A law enforcement official familiar with the matter told CNN that Lynch's FBI security detail did not stop Clinton when he moved to initiate the extended conversation. The official said that Lynch was surprised to see Clinton walking onto her plane, adding that no official Justice Department business was conducted.

Lynch on Wednesday insisted that the meeting would not in any way affect the federal investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server as secretary of State.

“It’s being handled by career investigators and career agents, who always follow facts and the law, and do the same thorough and independent examination in this matter that they’ve done in all,” she said Wednesday in Los Angeles, according to ABC News. “So that’s how that’ll be handed.”

The White House said Lynch and President Obama are committed to conducting a fair investigation.

“I think the bottom line is simply that both the president and the attorney general understand how important it is for the Department of Justice to conduct investigations that are free of political interference,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

He refused to second-guess her decision to speak privately with Clinton, saying he took Lynch at her word that the two did not discuss the FBI’s review.

“She was asked a direct question about it and she answered it,” he said.

Top Democrats on Capitol Hill came to Lynch’s defense. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid Harry Mason ReidGraham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year Trump signals he will move to replace Ginsburg 'without delay' Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden MORE (Nev.) said Lynch's ethics are "the best." Sen. Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE (N.Y.), who is expected to be the next Senate Democratic leader, called Lynch "an honorable person."

"She has said nothing was discussed related to the investigation, so you have two choices: to say this didn't matter or she's lying. I think it didn't matter. I don't think she's lying."

— Jordan Fabian, Julian Hattem and Jordain Carney contributed.