Gingrich Says The U.S. President ‘Cannot Obstruct Justice’ Despite Past Bill Clinton Vote
- 7 years ago
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is facing criticism over a comment he made recently about presidential obstruction of justice.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is facing criticism over a comment he made recently about presidential obstruction of justice.
During an interview at the National Press Club Friday, he was referring to the ongoing Russia investigation when he said, “Technically, the president of the United States cannot obstruct justice. The President...is the chief executive officer of the United States, if he wants to fire the FBI director, all he’s got to do is fire him.”
However, the Los Angeles Times and others have pointed out that in 1998, Gingrich accused then-President Bill Clinton of obstructing justice over his scandal involving Monica Lewinsky.
The publication quotes him as saying at the time, “What you have lived through for 2.5 long years is the most systematic, deliberate obstruction-of-justice cover-up and effort to avoid the truth we have ever seen in American history.”
Gingrich even voted to impeach Clinton on those grounds and others.
CNN has speculated that partisanship and loyalty to President Trump may be factors behind his change in attitude.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that as part of the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election, special counsel Robert Mueller is now examining whether the president "attempted to obstruct justice."
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is facing criticism over a comment he made recently about presidential obstruction of justice.
During an interview at the National Press Club Friday, he was referring to the ongoing Russia investigation when he said, “Technically, the president of the United States cannot obstruct justice. The President...is the chief executive officer of the United States, if he wants to fire the FBI director, all he’s got to do is fire him.”
However, the Los Angeles Times and others have pointed out that in 1998, Gingrich accused then-President Bill Clinton of obstructing justice over his scandal involving Monica Lewinsky.
The publication quotes him as saying at the time, “What you have lived through for 2.5 long years is the most systematic, deliberate obstruction-of-justice cover-up and effort to avoid the truth we have ever seen in American history.”
Gingrich even voted to impeach Clinton on those grounds and others.
CNN has speculated that partisanship and loyalty to President Trump may be factors behind his change in attitude.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that as part of the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election, special counsel Robert Mueller is now examining whether the president "attempted to obstruct justice."