Donald Trump Won't Pursue Criminal Investigation Against Hillary Clinton, Foundation, Says Kellyanne Conway

President-elect Donald Trump's administration will not pursue further investigations of Hillary Clinton related to her private email server or the Clinton Foundation, Trump's former campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said Tuesday, marking a significant rollback from a signature promise during the New York businessman's campaign.

“I think when the president-elect, who's also the head of your party now … tells you before he's even inaugurated he doesn't wish to pursue these charges, it sends a very strong message, tone and content" to Republicans, Conway said in an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," appearing to acknowledge that the president cannot formally direct charges because the Department of Justice operates independently.

She added: "And I think Hillary Clinton still has to face the fact that a majority of Americans don't find her to be honest or trustworthy, but if Donald Trump can help her heal, then perhaps that's a good thing.”

The news comes just a week after an interview on CBS's "60 Minutes" in which Trump indicated that he may not launch a full investigation. “I’m gonna think about it,” he told interviewer Leslie Stahl. “I don’t wanna hurt them. They’re good people,” he said of the Clintons.

During the second presidential debate, Trump said that if he became president, he would instruct his attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton's private email server.

"There has never been so many lies, so much deception. There has ever been anything like it," Trump said, adding, "It's a disgrace and, honestly, you ought to be ashamed of yourself."

Clinton said Trump's claims about her emails were untrue, noting that it's a good thing that someone with his temperament is not in charge of the law in U.S.

Trump shot back: "Because you'd be in jail."

In the months leading up to the election, the chant of "lock her up" by attendees at Trump rallies had become a staple.

In July, while Clinton bashed Trump during the Democratic National Convention, Trump told a crowd in Colorado Springs at one of his rallies, "I'm starting to agree with you."

"You know it's interesting. Every time I mention her, everyone screams 'lock her up, lock her up.' They keep screaming. And you know what I do? I've been nice," Trump said to his supporters. "But after watching that performance last night — such lies — I don't have to be so nice anymore. I'm taking the gloves off."

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Commons