Politics

Scott Brown Says Harry Reid Is Most ‘Mean-Spirited’ Of Senators

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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More Republicans are calling out Sen. Harry Reid over his attacks on FBI director James Comey, with former Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown saying Monday the Nevada Democrat is “one of the most mean-spirited people in the United States Senate.”

Appearing on Fox Business on Monday, Brown said: “Let me talk about Harry Reid. Senator Reid is one of the most mean-spirited people in the United States Senate. He has a vendetta against virtually anybody whose in charge, which right now he’s not in charge.”

Brown said Reid is acting hypocritical for accusing Comey of violating the Hatch Act, which restricts federal government employees from doing political activities, through his comments and actions on the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.

Brown cited Reid’s penchant for attacking 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney from the Senate floor.

“The simple fact that he would rely on the Hatch Act when he has been in the well of the Senate talking about Mitt Romney, using his bully pulpit on an almost daily basis, I think in violation of the Hatch Act, is still ironic,” Brown said.

Speaking of Comey, Brown said: “Of course he’s not violating the Hatch Act. He’s not using his position to influence the election. He’s using his position to actually do his job. And thank goodness you have people like that.”

On Friday, Comey told congressional leaders that the FBI is re-opening its investigation into Clinton’s emails after discovering new material.

On Sunday, Reid wrote a letter to Comey that said: “Your actions in recent months have demonstrated a disturbing double standard for the treatment of sensitive information, with what appears to be a clear intent to aid one political party over another. I am writing to inform you that my office has determined that these actions may violate the Hatch Act, which bars FBI officials from using their official authority to influence an election. Through your partisan actions, you may have broken the law.”

Reid also wrote: “Please keep in mind that I have been a supporter of yours in the past. When Republicans filibustered your nomination and delayed your confirmation longer than any previous nominee to your position, I led the fight to get you confirmed because I believed you to be a principled public servant.With the deepest regret, I now see that I was wrong.”

Responding to Reid’s letter, Arkansas GOP Sen. Tom Cotton replied: “Harry Reid is a disgrace to American politics, among worst men ever in Senate. He can’t go soon enough, & many Democrats privately agree.”

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