'Next US President likely to face investigations by rival party'

The next US President is likely to face investigations by the rival party no matter who wins the White House next Tuesday, according to local media.

Multiple Republicans this week have predicted impeachment could be on the table if Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton wins the election, and Democrats would almost certainly seek to launch their own inquiries into Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump if he wins, Xinhua news agency cited The Hill on Saturday.

"The climate, the atmosphere, the vitriolic nature of our politics does not change on November 9," one former top Democratic House staffer told the US political website.

FBI Director James Comey dropped a bombshell last week when he announced his bureau had discovered new evidence that could be related to its investigation into Clinton's use of a private e-mail server while she was Secretary of State.

While authorities are unlikely to disclose the results of the FBI investigation any time soon, a handful of Republican lawmakers, including House Armed Services chairman Michael McCaul, have recently suggested that Clinton could be impeached if elected.

But Clinton on Monday played down the damage of the probe, telling a rally in the swing state of Ohio that "there's no case here" and that she's confident no charges will be made.

While it would be difficult for Democrats to launch investigations into Trump's business dealings if Trump wins the White House and Republicans almost control both chambers of Congress, Democrats could use informal hearings, press events or other ways to generate attention, according to The Hill.

"It doesn't really take a congressional committee to do anything for those to continue on. The Trump University trial is going to continue on, all the litigation in regards to his business will continue on," another former top House Democratic staffer was quoted as saying.

--IANS

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