Former FBI Director James Comey confirmed Thursday that he decided to make a public statement about Hillary Clinton’s “reckless” use of a private email server after then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch met with former President Bill Clinton on an airport tarmac. The meeting infuriated Republicans, who suspected that Clinton was attempting to influence the outcome of the investigation into his wife’s private server. Lynch has said she “regrets” having met with Clinton on the tarmac at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport because it raised doubts about the independence of the Justice Department. Comey also confirmed The New York Times’ reporting in April that Lynch attempted to downplay the FBI probe, asking Comey to call it a “matter” instead of an “investigation.”

—Andrew Desiderio