Rep. Will Hurd Goes For The Jugular During Comey Hearing, Demands One Set Of Law Be Applied To All

Will Hurd, a Republican Representative from Texas, has emerged as a patriotic all-star, according to social media posts still flowing in response to the James Comey hearing before Congress. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee called the FBI Director to testify and clarify his findings in the Hillary Clinton email scandal investigation.

“I’m offended,” Representative Will Hurd said before questioning James Comey. “I spent 9 1/2 years as an undercover officer in the CIA. I was the guy in the back alleys, collecting intelligence, passing it to lawmakers. I’ve seen my friends killed. I’ve seen assets put in harm’s way,” Hurd added when noting the dangers of classified documents being handled carelessly.

Rep. Will Hurd: I’m offended by Democratic claims that #ComeyHearing is “political theatre” https://t.co/ixbo4KdXyehttps://t.co/lJb8BB5JGQ

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 7, 2016

“My primary concern is the impact on what other employees might think in the federal government,” James Comey said in response to Will Hurd’s comment, KTSA News notes.

“You don’t think this sends a message to other employees that if the former Secretary of State can have an unauthorized server in their basement that transmits top secret information… that’s not a problem?” Hurd asked.

During the exchange between James Comey and Will Hurd, the FBI Director also said if Hillary Clinton was an employee of his federal agency and had engaged in such activities, she would face “robust discipline.”

“There will be discipline from termination to reprimand–and everything in between–for people who mishandle classified information” Comey added.

Rep. Will Hurd: “Who was protecting that server?”
FBI Director: “Well not much.” #ClintonEmails #ComeyHearing pic.twitter.com/Fs33KVlQVi

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 7, 2016

Will Hurd is a San Antonio native. He graduated from Texas A&M University, where he majored in computer science, according to the House website. After graduating from college, he began working as an undercover agent for the CIA in both the Middle East or South Asia for almost a decade.

Part of Hurd’s duties were collecting national security intelligence. When he left his position at the CIA, he became an adviser for a cybersecurity firm and was also a partner in a “strategic firm” that aided businesses seeking to expand into the international marketplace.

Hurd was elected to Congress in 2015. He currently serves on the Information Technology Subcommittee, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Committee on Homeland Security, and is the vice chair of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee.

Congressmen Will Hurd (R-TX): is the FBI setting a precedent for future politicians? pic.twitter.com/0AKI0dRhSQ

— Leo Kisrow (@lerow2000) July 7, 2016

During the James Comey hearing, a number of Republican House members stated the American people are concerned that a double standard was at play during the Hillary Clinton investigation.

“I’ve heard it a lot,” Comey said when referencing the accusations about the powerful career politician getting a pass on criminal charges when so many others accused of similar or lesser breaches of classified material did not. “It’s not true, but I’ve heard it a lot.”

“I totally get people’s questions,” Comey stated, adding that the FBI is obligated to follow the law. “Our folks did it in an apolitical and a professional way.”

When questioned about Clinton’s email antics, which James Comey deemed extremely careless and sloppy, the FBI director said he could not push for charges because there was no evidence that the Secretary of State, who is a licensed attorney, knew she was breaking the law when she violated security protocols.

A federal law passed almost 100 years ago states criminal prosecution is warranted in cases where the mishandling of classified material is caused by “gross negligence,” KVIA reports. Criminal intent is not reportedly required to be charged under the statute.

“We don’t want to put people in jail unless we prove that they knew they were doing something they shouldn’t do,” Comey also said. “That is the characteristic of all the prosecutions involving mishandling of classified information.”

Upon becoming the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was informed of the safety and security statutes pertaining to the handling of classified information, and the possible repercussions of violating the regulations.

“If your name isn’t Clinton, or you’re not part of the powerful elite, then Lady Justice will act differently,” Republican Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz said.

Representative Chaffetz also feels the FBI has not set a “dangerous precedent” which can be cited when other individuals violate classified information security regulations.

What do you think about Will Hurd’s comments and the James Comey hearing?

[Image by AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]