David Axelrod says Loretta Lynch and 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's meeting this week was "foolish" given the 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.

While Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Obama, said he took the current attorney general and former president "at their word" that the pair didn't discuss the investigation, he questioned the outward appearance of the meeting in a tweet:

I take @LorettaLynch & @billclinton at their word that their convo in Phoenix didn't touch on probe. But foolish to create such optics. — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) June 30, 2016

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Lynch said her conversation with Bill Clinton at the Phoenix international airport Monday night centered on his grandchildren, describing it as "primarily social." She said it did not involve the FBI's investigation of the private email setup Hillary Clinton used when she was secretary of State. But it immediately raised eyebrows when news emerged Wednesday.

"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," 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 on CNN's "New Day" on Thursday morning, saying Lynch has "generally shown excellent judgment" in her position.

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, also noted the potential conflict of interest, tweeting that Lynch "must avoid even the appearance of conflict."