Paul Ryan's Request to Block Hillary Clinton From Classified Intelligence Briefings Denied by DNI

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan's attempt to block Hillary Clinton from receiving classified intelligence briefings for the remainder of the election season was denied by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Monday.

In a letter to Ryan, Clapper wrote that he did "not intend to withhold briefings from any officially nominated, eligible candidate."

"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."

A spokeswoman for Ryan, who sought the block because of a recently closed investigation into how Clinton handled sensitive and classified emails as secretary of state, said in a statement, "We obviously disagree with the decision and want to know what precautions will be taken and what assurances the director can give that Secretary Clinton won't mishandle classified information. She has proven herself untrustworthy."

Clapper's decision came one week after FBI Director James Comey announced that he would recommended no charges be filed against Clinton in her handling of classified email while she was secretary of state.

Ryan was one of the more vocal Republicans criticizing Comey, saying the decision "defies explanation," as well as Clinton, whom he said "misled the American people when she was confronted with her criminal actions."

In his letter to Clapper, Ryan argued there was no requirement for Clinton to receive the briefings.

"There is no legal requirement for you to provide Secretary Clinton with classified information," Ryan wrote earlier this month, "and it would send the wrong signal to all those charged with safeguarding our nation's secrets if you choose to provide her access to this information despite the FBI's findings."

Ryan's request was one of several ways Republicans are attempting to extend the Clinton email scandal. On Monday, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz of Utah and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia asking for an investigation into whether Clinton perjured herself when testifying to Congress. Tuesday morning, Attorney General Loretta Lynch is testifying before the House Judiciary Committee to discuss the matter, as well as her recent meeting with Bill Clinton.

[Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Commons]