State Department: No conflict for Clintons
WASHINGTON — The State Department said Monday it has no evidence that any actions taken by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton when she was secretary of state were influenced by donations to the Clinton Foundation or former President Bill Clinton’s speaking fees.
Spokesman Jeff Rathke said the department re- ceived requests to review potential conflicts primarily for proposed speech hosts or consulting deals for Bill Clinton and found no conflicts.
The comment comes as Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign grapples with criticism that foreign entities traded donations to the family charity for favors at the State Department. Hundreds of paid speeches by Bill Clinton, which can command $500,000 or more, have come under attack from Republican op- ponents.
Speaking during a tour of Clinton Foundation projects in Africa, Bill Clinton defended his foundation, saying there’s nothing “sinister” about getting wealthy people to help poor people in developing countries.
Under pressure, the foundation recently announced it will only take money from six Western countries.
“It’s an acknowledgment that we’re going to come as close as we can during her presidential campaign to following the rules we followed when she became secretary of state,” he said.
He added: “I don’t think that I did anything that was against the interest of the United States.”
Bill Clinton’s decision to re-enter the political fray, with an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, reflects concerns that the scrutiny — and Republican attacks — on the family charity is having a negative impact on Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations.