Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

There's been much talk about the rule of law lately. Part of this idea is that nobody is above the law. However, an outcry ensued when FBI Director James Comey announced earlier this month that he is not pursuing charges against Hillary Clinton for violating federal law and compromising national security. House Speaker Paul Ryan said "it appears damage is being done to the rule of law." Comey called her “extremely careless” and yet said… [T]his is not to suggest that in similar circumstances, a person who engaged in this activity would face no consequences.” What?

So if we are to understand this correctly, there appears to be one set of rules for the powerful and another set of rules for the average Joe citizen. If given what Comey says is true and that another person in "similar circumstances" engaged in that activity shouldn't expect to get away with this, then why isn't he prosecuting Hillary Clinton? This is a text book example of a double standard. This leads to cynicism and loss of respect for our institutions. It undermines the idea that all should be treated equally under the law. Bottom line is that whatever, the rule of law means, it must apply to all, regardless of their position—even if they're running for president.