FBI Director James Comey held a press conference on Tuesday, announcing that the agency would not recommend that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton be indicted over her use of a private email server while handling classified government documents.

The Department of Justice, headed by Loretta Lynch, will have final say in determining whether Clinton will face charges. Given the FBI’s recommendation, however, that possibility appears increasingly remote, particularly in light of Lynch’s recent statements indicating she would follow the bureau’s recommendation.

Comey’s statement came just days after Lynch met with former President Bill Clinton on board a private jet parked on the tarmac in Phoenix, Arizona. The 25-30 minute private meeting provoked bipartisan criticism, with leading Republicans noting the conflict of interest, while some Democrats, including Delaware Senator Christopher Coons, who said the meeting “sent the wrong signal.”

At the press conference, Comey acknowledged that there was proof Clinton and her team had violated the law, he claimed that it was unclear whether the former Secretary of State had done so intentionally.

“Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case. Prosecutors necessarily weigh a number of factors before deciding whether to bring charges."

Comey said that while the FBI found that Clinton and her team “were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information,” there was no “clear evidence that Secretary Clinton” or staff members had “intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information”.

Despite the FBI’s recommendation to the Department of Justice not to pursue charges, Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State will likely remain a prominent feature in this year’s presidential election.

Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump wasted no time condemning the FBI’s decision, writing on Twitter that “The system is rigged. General Petraeus got in trouble for far less. Very very unfair! As usual, bad judgement.”

“FBI director said Crooked Hillary compromised our national security. No Charges. Wow. #RiggedSystem.”

Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump wasted no time condemning the FBI’s decision, writing on Twitter that “The system is rigged. General Petraeus got in trouble for far less. Very very unfair! As usual, bad judgement.”

“FBI director said Crooked Hillary compromised our national security. No Charges. Wow. #RiggedSystem.”