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Gowdy Forces Strzok to Address Bias Against Trump While Serving on Mueller Investigation

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House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy pressed FBI Agent Peter Strzok on special counsel Robert Mueller’s decision to remove him from the Russia investigation last August, based on multiple texts the agent wrote displaying animus toward President Donald Trump.

During an exchange with Gowdy before a combined meeting of the House Oversight and Government Reform and the House Judiciary committees on Thursday, Strzok denied the allegation that bias was the reason he was removed, but rather that it was Mueller’s concern about the public perception the texts made.

“Do you remember how long it took for you to start talking about impeachment after Bob Mueller was appointed (in May 2017),” Gowdy asked.

Strzok replied that he did not; Gowdy alleged it took only one day (based on the agent’s text) for the impeachment discussions to begin.

“It wasn’t the discovery of your texts, it was the existence of your bias that got you kicked off,” the Republican from South Carolina charged.

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“No, Mr. Gowdy it wasn’t,” Strzok replied. “I do not have bias. My personal opinions in no way have ever impacted my…”

Gowdy interjected, “Why were you kicked off?”

“Mr. Gowdy, my understanding of why I was kicked off was that based on the understanding of those texts, and the perception they might create,” Strzok said.

In other words, the agent appeared to be saying Mueller was more concerned about the public’s perception of Strzok’s bias against Trump than any animus that he might have.

Gowdy jumped on Strzok’s response.

“Hang on a second, Agent Strzok,” Gowdy said. “Perception! You’re saying it’s the perception. There are 13 Democrats on the special counsel probe, including one who went to what he hoped was a victory party. That’s a perception problem, too. They weren’t kicked off, you were!”

“Your testimony is that Bob Mueller did not kick you off because of the content of your texts, he kicked you off because of some appearance that he was worried about?” Gowdy asked.

Strzok affirmed that was the case.

“I’m stating to you it is not my understanding that he kicked me off because of any bias. That is was done based on the appearance,” he said. “I don’t appreciate what was originally said being changed.”

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I don’t give a d— what you appreciate, Agent Strzok,” Gowdy responded. “I don’t appreciate having an FBI agent with an unprecedented level of animus working on two major investigations during 2016.”

Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report released last month concerning the Hillary Clinton email investigation found Strzok’s anti-Trump texts “deeply” troubling.

“We were deeply troubled by text messages sent by Strzok and (FBI attorney Lisa) Page that potentially indicated or created the appearance that investigative decisions were impacted by bias or improper considerations,” the report stated.

Should Strzok face criminal charges for abuse of power?

Further, one particular Strzok text promising “we’ll stop” Trump “is not only indicative of a biased state of mind but, even more seriously, implies a willingness to take official action to impact the presidential candidate’s electoral prospects,” according to the report.

In texts released by the inspector general in December, Strzok described Trump during the campaign as a “loathsome human” and an “idiot,” and found the prospect of him being president “terrifying.”

Page, his mistress at the time, responded with a text that read, “There is no way he gets elected.”

Strzok responded to Page’s text. “I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office …that there’s no way he gets elected — but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk. It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you’re 40.”

“Andy” apparently referred to then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who served under former FBI Director James Comey.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 2,000 articles for The Western Journal since he joined the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto is the senior staff writer for The Western Journal. He wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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