(CNN) Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort said Thursday the FBI's statistics on crime should be viewed skeptically since the agency recommended that Hillary Clinton not be charged for her use of private email.

CNN's Jake Tapper asked in an interview why the campaign emphasizes fears of rising crime levels even though FBI data shows a drop.

Manafort replied: "People don't feel safe in their neighborhoods. I'm not sure what statistics you're talking about."

"The FBI is certainly suspect these days after what they just did with Hillary Clinton," he added.

Republicans, including Trump, have criticized the recent determination by FBI Director James Comey that Clinton shouldn't face charges over her use of a private email server while leading the State Department. Some in the GOP have expanded that sentiment to a broader questioning of the bureau.

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