Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testifies on Capitol Hill in February. Clapper said Monday he will not withhold classified intelligence briefings from Hillary Clinton despite her use of a private email system, a request made by House Speaker Paul Ryan. File photo by Molly Riley/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, July 12 (UPI) -- Director of National Intelligence James Clapper shot down a request by House Speaker Paul Ryan seeking to deny Hillary Clinton classified national security briefings once she becomes the Democratic nominee.

In a letter obtained by multiple news outlets, Clapper told Ryan he does not intend to politicize the briefings, which the CIA provides each day to the presidential and vice presidential nominees from both major parties.


"Nominees for president and vice president receive these briefings by virtue of their status as candidates, and do not require separate security clearances before the briefings," Clapper wrote to Ryan. "Briefings for the candidates will be provided on an even-handed non-partisan basis."

Ryan had said Clinton's use of a private email system that contained some classified information in an insecure setting should disqualify her from receiving classified information in the intelligence briefings.

Clapper disagreed, saying he "does not intend to withhold briefings from any officially nominated, eligible candidate."