Former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch has been the subject of controversy regarding her use of a private jet. In June 2016, Lynch and her husband met with former President Bill Clinton on a tarmac in Phoenix, Arizona. This meeting occurred while the FBI was investigating Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State. The meeting raised ethical concerns, as it gave the appearance of impropriety. However, the controversy over Lynch’s private jet extends beyond just this meeting.
Background on Loretta Lynch
Loretta Lynch served as the 83rd Attorney General of the United States from 2015 to 2017, under President Barack Obama. She was the first African American woman to hold this position. Prior to serving as Attorney General, Lynch worked as a United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and as a partner at a law firm in New York City.
Lynch’s Use of Private Jets
Lynch’s use of private jets has come under scrutiny in recent years. In 2016, it was reported that Lynch had used a private jet owned by a Democratic donor to travel to campaign events for Hillary Clinton. This raised questions about whether Lynch was using her position as Attorney General to support Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Additionally, Lynch used a private jet to travel to Aspen, Colorado in 2015. The trip was paid for by the Aspen Institute, a non-profit organization that hosts conferences and events. While Lynch was attending a conference hosted by the Aspen Institute, she also met with former President Bill Clinton. This meeting became the subject of controversy, as it occurred while the FBI was investigating Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.
The Tarmac Meeting
The most high-profile controversy surrounding Lynch’s use of a private jet occurred in June 2016. Lynch and her husband were traveling on a private jet when they landed on a tarmac in Phoenix, Arizona. At the same time, former President Bill Clinton was also in Phoenix, campaigning for his wife’s presidential campaign. Clinton requested a meeting with Lynch, and the two met for around 30 minutes on the private jet. This meeting occurred while the FBI was investigating Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.
The meeting raised ethical concerns, as it gave the appearance of impropriety. The FBI was investigating Hillary Clinton, and Lynch was the head of the Department of Justice, which oversees the FBI. Critics argued that the meeting created a conflict of interest and undermined the public’s trust in the investigation.
Lynch’s Response
Lynch defended the meeting with Bill Clinton, stating that they discussed “innocuous things.” She also stated that she regretted the meeting, as it gave the appearance of impropriety. Lynch did not recuse herself from the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server, but she did announce that she would accept the recommendations of the FBI and career prosecutors.
Regarding her use of private jets, Lynch stated that she followed the rules and regulations governing the use of government resources. She also stated that she used private jets for security reasons, as traveling on commercial flights could potentially put her safety at risk.
Conclusion
Loretta Lynch’s use of private jets has been the subject of controversy in recent years. Her meeting with Bill Clinton on a tarmac in Phoenix in 2016 raised ethical concerns and undermined the public’s trust in the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. While Lynch defended her use of private jets and stated that she followed the rules and regulations governing the use of government resources, her actions have continued to be scrutinized.