Investigative Authority Quotes

It's not the function of Congress to do criminal investigations.

The FBI is a field-based law enforcement organization, and the vast majority of our investigations should continue to be worked by our field offices.

I think it is important that independent government agencies be put in charge of investigating misconduct so that police departments are no longer allowed to police themselves. There is a conflict of interest there which, I believe, allows police to excuse their own behavior.

When awesome investigative power is entrusted to so many individuals, it is extremely important that they wield it with a proper regard for your constitutional rights, especially your right to privacy.

It is critical that special counsels have the independence and resources they need to lead investigations.

While the FBI carries out investigative work, the responsibility for supervising, directing and ultimately determining the resolution of investigations is solely the province of the Justice Department's prosecutors.

I'm going to make a guess, not a definitive statement, I would think if you had to make a decision like that [ completed the e-mail investigation on Hillary Clinton], you'd give it - you'd give that to an independent counsel. You wouldn't make it as the appointee of the new president.

By definition, a Special Counsel is charged with investigating particular potential crimes, not all potential crimes wherever they may be found.

And, you know, in my opinion, when the FBI uses these sources, there are a lot of internal guidelines on how they can be used and particularly if they touch in any way on First Amendment activity. So you know, journalists, political activity, clergy people - all of those get extra special protection when it comes to FBI investigation.