[ad_1]
(WASHINGTON) – A beleaguered FBI agent whose anti-Trump messages exposed the Department of Justice to accusations of institutional bias launched a vigorous defense Thursday at a special congressional hearing that took place. It is transformed into cries, accusations and transgression.
Peter Strzok testified publicly for the first time since his withdrawal from the team of special advocate Robert Mueller after the discovery of derogatory text messages that he exchanged with an FBI lawyer. He told lawmakers that the texts in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election reflected personal views that he had never followed, rejecting with anger the Republican allegations that he had decided to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president.
In one of these texts, did these personal beliefs enter the field of my actions? "Strzok said:
The audience confronted a defying Strzok to Republican lawmakers who, for months, waved his lyrics as the incarnation of the anti-Trump bias in the FBI. Silent for several months, Strzok vigorously defended his management of two extremely sensitive investigations in which he played a leading role: inquiries into the use of Hillary Clinton's e-mail and possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Two years ago he was right to start investigating whether the Trump campaign was working with the Kremlin in the midst of allegations of what he described as a Russian offer of assistance to a Trump campaign associate He characterized the anti-Trump text messages as personal communications that he never considered becoming public and denied that they had influenced his
Strzok insisted under aggressive questioning on a much-discussed text of August 2016 in which he said: stop "a Trump presidency followed Trump's denigration of the family of a member of the American service dead. He said the text, written late at night and out-of-the-box, reflected his belief that the American public would not endure "horrible and disgusting behavior" from the Republican presidential candidate.
and the emphatic tone, "This was by no means – unequivocally – any suggestion that I, the FBI, would take any action to improperly impact the electoral process for any candidate So I take a big offense, and I strongly disagree with your statement of what it was or was not. "
Moreover, he says, both investigations were handled by large teams
. inappropriate behavior in me more than I would tolerate in them, "said Strzok." That's what we are as FBI. And the suggestion that I, in a darkroom somewhere within the FBI, would in one way or another reject all these procedures, all those warranties and in any way or any way. another being able to do this is staggering for me.
Some Democrats applauded after finishing speaking.
Republican members of the House roasted Strzok claiming that the messages he had exchanged with FBI attorney, Lisa Page, had colored the results of the Clinton inquiry and undermined the Ongoing investigation in Russia. Strzok, a veteran counter-intelligence officer, helped conduct both investigations but was reassigned to human resources.
"Agent Strzok made Hillary Clinton win the White House before finishing her investigation," said Trey Gowdy, Republican Chair of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. "Agent Strzok has asked Donald Trump to resign even before he starts to investigate him." It's biased. "Agent Strzok may not see it. but the rest of the country does, and it's not what we want, expect or deserve from any law enforcement officer, let alone the FBI. "[19659002ThechairmanofthecommitteeRobertGoodlattesaidthatStrzokneededtoanswerRepublicanquestionsandsuggestedthattheycouldsuspendthehearingandholdhimincontempttoGoodlatte'srepeatedattemptstohaveStrzokrespondGoodlattefinallylettheaudiencecontinuewithoutopeningthepanel
In his opening statement, Strzok stated that he did not open the panel. had never let personal opinions infect his work, that he knew information during the campaign that could have to damage Trump but never. Strobok acknowledged that although his criticism of the text message was "direct", it was not aimed at a single subject. I want to be clear, unambiguous and under oath: not once in my 26 years of defense of my nation has had any personal impact on my personal or political opinion and not on Trump but also on Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders. He said that he was one of the few people during the 2016 election who knew the details of Russian electoral interference and his possible connections with people in the Trump Orbit , and that this information could have derailed Trump's electoral chances. "But," he says, "the thought of exposing this information has never crossed the mind."
Although Strzok said through his attorney that he was eager to tell his version of the story, he clearly expressed his exasperation. The focal point of a congressional hearing at a time when Russian electoral interference managed to "sow discord in our country and undermine our institutions."
"I greatly respect the oversight role of Congress, but I really believe that the hearing is just another victory in Putin's belt and another milestone in our enemies' campaign to tear America apart, "said Strzok." As a someone who loves this country and who cherishes his ideals, it is deeply painful to watch and even worse to take part in it. "
The contentious hearing follows hours of debate. In camera interrogations last week, it also reflects an effort to distract from the content of Strzok's texts and what he says is the most urgent issue: the "serious attack" of the Russians against American democracy and the ongoing efforts to divide the country. The means of discrediting Mueller's investigation have for months supported the texts of Strzok and Page to support allegations of anti-Trump bias within the forces of order.
The Inspector General of the Ministry of Justice criticized Strzok and Page for creating irregularities. But the report says that he found no evidence of political bias in the FBI's decision not to prosecute criminal charges against Clinton. And many Democrats say that the measures taken by law enforcement during the election campaign, including the announcement of the reopening of the Clinton inquiry a few days before the elections, end up harming the Democratic candidate and Republican candidate Trump
According to Mr. Wray, employees who were criticized in the report were referred to internal disciplinary officers. Strzok's lawyer said that he had been escorted from the FBI building while the disciplinary process was sinking into the system.
Mr. Page is expected to speak to lawmakers at a private meeting on Friday.
Source link
