7 key moments of the crazy audition of Peter Strzok

. Strzok sought to explain his anti-Trump text messages at a time when he was the chief investigator on the FBI's Russia Survey in 2016. He was removed from the investigation in 2017 after these messages. with his colleague Lisa Page, with whom he had an affair, was discovered. Republicans including President Trump seized Strzok's texts – which included hints to arrest Trump – as evidence of a biased and even corrupt law enforcement investigation.

Here are the key moments of the audience up to now, and we will update this post as the audience progresses.

1. The threat of contempt

It did not take long for the audience to break out. After the opening statements, Trey Gowdy (RS.C.), Chair of the House Oversight Committee, asked his first question: How many people interviewed Strok during the first eight days of the FBI's Russian investigation between July 31 and August 8, 2016? 19659007] Strzok, as he predicted in his opening statement, stated that he had been informed by the FBI's lawyers that he was not to address the details of what is still an ongoing investigation. (The investigation was entrusted to the special advocate Robert S. Mueller III in mid-2017). The Republicans quickly opposed and threatened Strzok with contempt. Democrats noted that it was unusual for Strzok to be asked to disclose such details in a public setting.

Strzok said that he did not have to answer the question because, despite the assignment by the committee, he had already said that he would speak voluntarily

" Mr. President, I do not think I am here under subpoena, "said Mr. Strzok," I believe I am here voluntarily. … On that basis, I will not answer that question. "

Democrats argued that a witness such as Strzok should not publicly disclose sensitive information like the plan for a hydrogen bomb." Another proposed to adjourn the hearing less than an hour after its opening.

The chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the House, Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.), finally declared that Strzok would be recalled to the committee after the day's hearing. to hold him in contempt But the tone was given.

2. Strzok's angry response: "It's deeply destructive"

After more than 20 minutes of maneuvering and postures after the discussion, Gowdy ended his interrogation of Strzok and Strzok was given the floor to respond.In a one-minute retort, he described the allegations of bias and inappropriate actions of Gowdy and his Republican allies as "deeply destructive"

He said that his critical messages on Trump shortly after the start of the investigation were in response to Trump's behavior. the election campaign – not the reflection of his intention to investigate. He particularly pointed to Trump's attacks on the Khans, a Gold Star family who spoke at the National Democratic Convention at that time

"My presumption [was] based on this horrible and disgusting behavior that the American people "Elects no one demonstrating this behavior to be president of the United States," he said. "This was by no means, unequivocally, any suggestion that I, the FBI, would do anything to improperly influence the electoral process for any candidate, so I take a great offense. "

Strzok has concluded the accusation against him and the line of questioning" profoundly corrodes what the FBI is in American society, the effectiveness of their mission, and it is deeply destructive. "Some in the room applauded.

A charge of perjury – and a very personal attack

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.) Took Strzok's assertion that his texts did not demonstrate a personal "bias" and stated that the argument amounted to lying to him. When Democrats noted that Gohmert basically accused Strzok of perjury – given that he made this claim under oath – Gohmert was unbowed ..

Then he became personal.

"When I see you looking with a small smile, I wonder how many times have you looked so innocently in your wife's eyes and lied to her about Lisa Page," Gohmert began. Hearing room broke out, someone shouting "insane asylum" and someone else saying that Gohmert needed medication.

In response, Strzok said acknowledged to have "injured" someone whom he described as a "family member." The Threat of Transcription

One of the intrigues here was the eagerness of the Democrats to publish the transcript of Strzok's previous closed-door testimony.They argue that it was leaked and described selectively to attack

Thus, at some point in the beginning of Hearing, the representative David N. Cicilline (DR.I.) said that he intended to render the transcript himself – there was a reason for it. she could not, Goodlatte pointed out that it was the practice of the committee and that there was an agreement to keep private in camera hearings during an investigation.

Cicilline's response: "We intend to publish this transcript unless someone prescribes it and we will give it to you this afternoon to present it," he said. "If not, we intend to publish the transcript."

Finally, Cicilline received support from GOP representative Mark Meadows (NC), who heads Conservative House Freedom Caucus

– that the investigation of the committee is ongoing – was the same as that proposed by Mr Strzok for not answering questions about the investigation of the special advocate on Russia. last case, apparently, the Republicans do not think that this applies.

5. Making him read his own texts

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) Took his five minutes to force Strzok to read some of his own texts – including those that used vulgarities.

When reading the one in which he used the word F when talking about Trump, Strzok stopped and asked how he should handle it, and then finished. Then Issa asked him to reread it

"Sir, was not that intelligible?" Said Strzok. "You just want to hear – for me to repeat it."

"Please," Issa says.

"Of course, sir, of course," strangled Strzok stridently. "Happy to please you."

6. Democrat says Strzok should get a purple heart

The difference between the lines of questioning between Republicans and Democrats was, as usual, harsh. While Republicans harassed Strzok and tried to catch him off guard, Democrats mostly used their time to argue about the importance of the Mueller investigation

but some Democrats decided to go further. and to make Strzok a martyr – or even a hero. Representative Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) Went the furthest.

Strzok, if I could give you a purple heart, I would, "said Cohen when he began his interrogation.

To recap, Strzok was removed from the Mueller investigation and severely criticized by An Inspector General It is generally accepted that his text messages were problematic, regardless of whether you think it reflects corruption and prejudice in all law enforcement agencies or in the Mueller probe

. Visual Aids

During his opening speech, the Democratic House Leader's Elijah E. Cummings (MD) Monitoring Committee asserted that Republicans were trying to close a successful investigation. asserted that Mueller should "do away with hell"

Cummings noted the guilty pleas already obtained by Robert S. Mueller III, and he provided visual aids to argue this point [19659041] "Let me point out: These are not allegations, they are admissions," Cummings said. Someone from the committee objected at one point, but the visual aids were allowed to stay.

Later, Sheila Jackson Lee's representative (D-Tex.) Showed a similar visual, reproaching Paul Manafort, former president of Trump. shot of the cup released. Manafort did not plead guilty like the others, but he is awaiting trial and has been imprisoned for falsifying witnesses