F.B.I. Agent Peter Strzok, Who Criticized Trump in Texts, Is Fired Image Peter Strzok, a top F.B.I. counterintelligence agent who was taken off the special counsel investigation after his disparaging texts about President Trump were uncovered, was fired.CreditT.J. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times By Adam Goldman and Michael S. Schmidt Aug. 13, 2018
363 WASHINGTON — Peter Strzok, the F.B.I. senior counterintelligence agent who disparaged President Trump in inflammatory text messages and helped oversee the Hillary Clinton email and Russia investigations, has been fired for violating bureau policies, Mr. Strzok’s lawyer said Monday.
Mr. Trump and his allies seized on the text messages — exchanged during the 2016 campaign with a former F.B.I. lawyer, Lisa Page — in assailing the Russia investigation as an illegitimate “witch hunt.” Mr. Strzok, who rose over 20 years at the F.B.I. to become one of its most experienced counterintelligence agents, was a key figure in the early months of the inquiry.
Along with writing the text messages, Mr. Strzok was accused of sending a highly sensitive search warrant to his personal email account.
The F.B.I. had been under immense political pressure by Mr. Trump to dismiss Mr. Strzok. The president again tweeted about Mr. Strzok on Monday.
Agent Peter Strzok was just fired from the FBI - finally. The list of bad players in the FBI & DOJ gets longer & longer. Based on the fact that Strzok was in charge of the Witch Hunt, will it be dropped? It is a total Hoax. No Collusion, No Obstruction - I just fight back!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018 Just fired Agent Strzok, formerly of the FBI, was in charge of the Crooked Hillary Clinton sham investigation. It was a total fraud on the American public and should be properly redone!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018 Mr. Strzok’s lawyer said the deputy director of the F.B.I., David Bowdich, had overruled the bureau’s Office of Professional Responsibility, which said Mr. Strzok should be suspended for 60 days and demoted.
“The decision to fire Special Agent Strzok is not only a departure from typical bureau practice, but also contradicts Director Wray’s testimony to Congress and his assurances that the F.B.I. intended to follow its regular process in this and all personnel matters,” said the lawyer, Aitan Goelman, referring to the F.B.I. director, Christopher Wray.
“This decision should be deeply troubling to all Americans,” Mr. Goelman said. “A lengthy investigation and multiple rounds of congressional testimony failed to produce a shred of evidence that Special Agent Strzok’s personal views ever affected his work.”
It is not clear why Mr. Bowdich overruled the Office of Professional Responsibility. A spokeswoman for the F.B.I. did not respond to a message seeking comment.
The Office of Professional Responsibility had made its recommendation about Mr. Strzok after his conduct was laid out in a wide-ranging inspector general’s report in June. Mr. Strzok had testified before the House in July about how he had not allowed his political views to interfere with the investigations he was overseeing.
Mr. Strzok’s text message exchanges with Ms. Page demonstrated animosity toward Mr. Trump. In one, Ms. Page asks: Trump is “not ever going to become president, right? Right?!” Mr. Strzok responds: “No. No he won’t. We’ll stop it.” The inspector general, who uncovered the messages, found no evidence that the pair imposed their political views on their investigative decisions but cited that exchange as “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.”
The report by the inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, that preceded Mr. Strzok’s firing criticized his conduct in sending the texts; his use of personal email accounts to handle sensitive information; and a decision not to move swiftly enough to examine new emails related to the Clinton investigation just weeks before the 2016 election.
Mr. Horowitz said in his report that he was “deeply troubled” by the text messages. Hundreds exchanged over months were found in which the pair disparaged Mr. Trump and, to a lesser extent, Mrs. Clinton, exchanged work gossip and bantered.
Mr. Strzok became emblematic of Mr. Trump’s unfounded assertions that a so-called deep state of bureaucrats opposed to him was undermining his presidency. Mr. Trump contended that Mr. Strzok targeted the president and accused Mr. Strzok of being “treasonous” and a “disgrace.” Mr. Strzok told lawmakers that he never leaked information about the Russia inquiry, which could have upended the election and hurt Mr. Trump’s chances of becoming president.
After Mr. Horowitz uncovered the text messages, the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, who had by then taken over the investigation, removed Mr. Strzok from his team last summer. He was reassigned to the F.B.I.’s human resources division. Ms. Page, who had left Mr. Mueller’s team before the discovery of the text messages, quit the F.B.I. in May.
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From a Space Station in Argentina, China Expands Its Reach in Latin America The inspector general’s report also took issue with the reaction by Mr. Strzok and other F.B.I. officials to the discovery of possible new evidence in the Clinton investigation, known internally as Midyear Exam, in late September 2016 on a laptop that belonged to the disgraced politician Anthony Weiner, the husband of a top Clinton aide.
At the time, Mr. Strzok was in the early stages of investigating whether any Trump associates had conspired with Russia’s interference in the presidential election, and nearly a month passed before agents and analysts began to act on the emails found on Mr. Weiner’s laptop. Mr. Horowitz could not rule out that Mr. Strzok had slow-walked the examination of the new emails to help Mrs. Clinton’s presidential bid.
“Under these circumstances, we did not have confidence that Strzok’s decision to prioritize the Russia investigation over following up on the Midyear-related investigative lead discovered on the Weiner laptop was free from bias,” he wrote.
The delays were merely the “result of bureaucratic snafus,” Mr. Strzok’s lawyer wrote last month in USA Today.
But the justifications for the delay were “unpersuasive” and had “far-reaching consequences,” the inspector general said. James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, has told investigators that if he had known about the emails earlier, it might have influenced his decision to alert Congress to their existence days before the election.
In addition, the inspector general said that Mr. Strzok had forwarded a proposed search warrant to his personal email account. The inspector general said the email, which included a draft of the search warrant affidavit, contained information that appeared to be under seal.
In a heated congressional hearing last month, Mr. Strzok expressed “significant regret” for the texts and rebutted the president’s attacks on the Russia inquiry. “This investigation is not politically motivated; it is not a witch hunt; it is not a hoax,” he said.
Mr. Strzok’s dismissal was not unexpected. He is the second senior F.B.I. agent to be fired as a result of the inspector general’s investigation. In March, Andrew G. McCabe, the former deputy director, was fired after the inspector general repeatedly faulted him for misleading investigators.
The firing was politically motivated, Mr. McCabe has said, as an effort to discredit him as a witness in the special counsel investigation.
Both men were fired before they were eligible for their pension and health benefits.
Mr. Strzok, 48, a graduate of Georgetown University, served as an officer in the United States Army before he joined the F.B.I. He held several key positions in the F.B.I., eventually becoming a top deputy in the counterintelligence division.
He handled many important espionage cases including one involving a former C.I.A. officer suspected of working for China and a group of Russian spies who had been working undercover in the United States.
Follow Adam Goldman and Michael S. Schmidt on Twitter: @adamgoldmanNYT and @nytmike.
Yikes, wasn't this the guy leading the Russia probe? That is a serious problem for the FBI. The right is going to (correctly?) argue that this entire investigation is a sham.
Well the right just fired their targeted patsy. Too bad Trump can't make the facts and evidence that Mueller has disappear with propaganda. BUT I have no doubt he will try, and GOPer sellouts will support him.
I wonder how big a can of worms this will be? Looks like the person in charge of disciplinary action said he should be suspended for 60 days. This was overrode by the director and he was fired. Hmm... Was this purely political? Was this done to protect the Mueller investigation? Was it done to undermine the Mueller investigation?
I think this is another Comey moment and could have serious unintended consequences.
I hope if I'm ever investigated that I get to make sure that only people who really like me and do what I say get to do the investigation. I don't want anybody biased against me or my views, that wouldn't be fair! Slippery slopes.
If the right now uses this to go after the Mueller investigation, it will mark a very sad day in American justice.
if they felt he needed to be fired, then hey, see ya.
but some people better not act like this fbi agent fabricated evidence or something. it's still Mueller time, and this wont help trump get off from testifying.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
I hope if I'm ever investigated that I get to make sure that only people who really like me and do what I say get to do the investigation. I don't want anybody biased against me or my views, that wouldn't be fair! Slippery slopes.
If the right now uses this to go after the Mueller investigation, it will mark a very sad day in American justice.
Like that's even in question, they are absolutely going to.
I hope if I'm ever investigated that I get to make sure that only people who really like me and do what I say get to do the investigation. I don't want anybody biased against me or my views, that wouldn't be fair! Slippery slopes.
If the right now uses this to go after the Mueller investigation, it will mark a very sad day in American justice.
Like that's even in question, they are absolutely going to.
If the right now uses this to go after the Mueller investigation, it will mark a very sad day in American justice.
The very sad day in American Justice has already occurred with the corruption at the top of the FBI and Justice Department. Throw in the Heads of the CIA and the NSA as as well as they all plotted to bring down an American President.
So, trump just got on twitter using this as an opportunity to suggest the Hillary investigation should be reopened.
lol republicans never miss a chance to go back to the classics.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Peter Strzok knows more about Russian spying than perhaps anyone else in the US Govt. Maybe he is part of a coup attempt on the United States. Maybe Hillary Clinton is running a pedophile ring out of Comet Pizza. Who is to say?
It's also possible this is POTUS trying to stop the inertia of the investigation by trying to further de-legitimize it.
Well the right just fired their targeted patsy. Too bad Trump can't make the facts and evidence that Mueller has disappear with propaganda. BUT I have no doubt he will try, and GOPer sellouts will support him.
I'm still waiting for any facts or evidence Mueller has. So far he's a complete joke who is wasting tax payer money..
Well the right just fired their targeted patsy. Too bad Trump can't make the facts and evidence that Mueller has disappear with propaganda. BUT I have no doubt he will try, and GOPer sellouts will support him.
I'm still waiting for any facts or evidence Mueller has. So far he's a complete joke who is wasting tax payer money..
The very sad day in American Justice has already occurred with the corruption at the top of the FBI and Justice Department. Throw in the Heads of the CIA and the NSA as as well as they all plotted to bring down an American President.
[Rod Serling voiceover]:
"You see before you, a man. A man who wagered his patriotic soul on the 50/50 chance that he was following a Messiah- or a Fraud. A man who went so "all-in"," that he was willing to accept the ersatz validation of a media conglomerate/propaganda machine's siren song over his own best instincts.
Now- picture, if you will... his descent into chaos, madness... and a world where 'Fake News' was as believable to him as reality used to be. Imagine as well- the humiliation, the horror, the 'looking-glass reflection' he will be forced to face... when His Reality is proven to be a shattered, fractalized funhouse mirror manifestation of everyone else's Reality...
Close your eyes to what is right in front of you as the news breaks every day.
Another firing, this time Strzok, sends a message to the investigators that they will be held accountable for their actions.
Stay tuned as the investigation of the investigators continues to catch corruption at the highest levels of our government as they schemed to take down the President of the United States of America.
Close your eyes to what is right in front of you as the news breaks every day.
Another firing, this time Strzok, sends a message to the investigators that they will be held accountable for their actions.
Stay tuned as the investigation of the investigators continues to catch corruption at the highest levels of our government as they schemed to take down the President of the United States of America.
You are witnessing History in the making.
Yep, corruption in the White House. Worse than Nixon by 100 times.
Its about damn time, what took so long? Guy should have been fired and put in jail after he testified in front of congress and committed perjury.
Its actually quite amazing that some are still focused on Trump when there is corruption at the highest levels in the FBI, CIA, and justice department. About half of congress thinks this is true so its not some far out theory.
-Compromised FBI agents trying to influence the outcome of the election. To me that is called treason and these people need to go to jail.
-Illegal FISA warrant to kick start the Mueller probe (who still hasn't proved a thing). Technically if this can be proved, the whole investigation is a sham and null and void. If that is real, I'd appoint a special counsel and take Mueller and his people to court, fire Rod Rosenstein, who signed the FISA warrant.
-I get it some people don't like Trump or whatever, but there's no excuse to be oblivious about what is going on around you. The corruption in the FBI, CIA, Justice Department is probably the highest levels of corruption, way way way past watergate.
Rachel Maddow brought up something interesting. Trump and company have systematically smeared and fired most of the key people Comey told about what was going on between him and Trump. Now Rudy is saying the conversation about giving Flynn a pass never happened between Trump and Comey.
If Mueller tries to use that now, Trump has built a defense by destroying the careers of leaders in Justice and FBI. It's almost like the GOP is following a plan.
Its about damn time, what took so long? Guy should have been fired and put in jail after he testified in front of congress and committed perjury.
Its actually quite amazing that some are still focused on Trump when there is corruption at the highest levels in the FBI, CIA, and justice department. About half of congress thinks this is true so its not some far out theory.
-Compromised FBI agents trying to influence the outcome of the election. To me that is called treason and these people need to go to jail.
-Illegal FISA warrant to kick start the Mueller probe (who still hasn't proved a thing). Technically if this can be proved, the whole investigation is a sham and null and void. If that is real, I'd appoint a special counsel and take Mueller and his people to court, fire Rod Rosenstein, who signed the FISA warrant.
-I get it some people don't like Trump or whatever, but there's no excuse to be oblivious about what is going on around you. The corruption in the FBI, CIA, Justice Department is probably the highest levels of corruption, way way way past watergate.
Exactly right tasty!
If "We the People" lose faith in Justice and the FBI, America is in real trouble. We need to weed out all the corruption in order to save Justice and the FBI as they are rebuilt under new, better leadership.
@realDonaldTrump 1h1 hour ago More Lou Dobbs: “This cannot go forward...this Special Counsel with all of his conflicts, with his 17 Angry Democrats, without any evidence of collusion by the Trump Campaign and Russia. The Dems are the ones who should be investigated.” Thank you Lou, so true!
@realDonaldTrump 1h1 hour ago More Strzok started the illegal Rigged Witch Hunt - why isn’t this so-called “probe” ended immediately? Why aren’t these angry and conflicted Democrats instead looking at Crooked Hillary?
@realDonaldTrump 1h1 hour ago More Fired FBI Agent Peter Strzok is a fraud, as is the rigged investigation he started. There was no Collusion or Obstruction with Russia, and everybody, including the Democrats, know it. The only Collusion and Obstruction was by Crooked Hillary, the Democrats and the DNC!
________
someone's having a meltdown lol.
lemmme guess BpG, its my fault and the media's fault for reporting what the president says.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Comey getting fired kick started the Mueller probe, not the FISA warrant. Everything else you stated is either false or based on conjecture. I also find it hilarious that "Mueller hasn't proved anything" when he hasn't even reported the findings yet. The average length of special counsel investigations is 2 and a half years. Why are people being impatient? It's of critical importance that we determine what the Russians are doing to undermine our democracy.
An investigation started by Republicans, ran by Republicans and overseen by Republicans is a Democratic witch hunt? You would think people couldn't even make such stupid crap up. But they did and some even believe it.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Comey getting fired kick started the Mueller probe, not the FISA warrant. Everything else you stated is either false or based on conjecture. I also find it hilarious that "Mueller hasn't proved anything" when he hasn't even reported the findings yet. The average length of special counsel investigations is 2 and a half years. Why are people being impatient? It's of critical importance that we determine what the Russians are doing to undermine our democracy.
-Sorry but I think your point that Comey getting fired kick started the investigation is just plain wrong. The original intent of the special counsel was to investigate Russian collusion during the 2016 presidential election\campaign, which they've strayed far far far away from. Unclear what the scope of the investigation is .
Have you read the Nunes memo about the false Fisa warrent which was supported by the dossier that Hillary Clinton paid for? If you think this stuff is false or conjecture, you're blind or just don't want to know for some reason (not sure why). I've put a link to it below but doubt you'll read it. The illegal FISA warrant eventually led to the Mueller investigation being started because of either false or true data uncovered from the warrant relating to Carter Page.
You don't have to believe any of it, but its what I believe. When there are several other people in congress that say the same thing, you've got to wonder. I definitely know that those people know more than I do.
Comey getting fired kick started the Mueller probe, not the FISA warrant. Everything else you stated is either false or based on conjecture. I also find it hilarious that "Mueller hasn't proved anything" when he hasn't even reported the findings yet. The average length of special counsel investigations is 2 and a half years. Why are people being impatient? It's of critical importance that we determine what the Russians are doing to undermine our democracy.
-Sorry but I think your point that Comey getting fired kick started the investigation is just plain wrong. The original intent of the special counsel was to investigate Russian collusion during the 2016 presidential election\campaign, which they've strayed far far far away from. Unclear what the scope of the investigation is .
Have you read the Nunes memo about the false Fisa warrent which was supported by the dossier that Hillary Clinton paid for? If you think this stuff is false or conjecture, you're blind or just don't want to know for some reason (not sure why). I've put a link to it below but doubt you'll read it. The illegal FISA warrant eventually led to the Mueller investigation being started because of either false or true data uncovered from the warrant relating to Carter Page.
You don't have to believe any of it, but its what I believe. When there are several other people in congress that say the same thing, you've got to wonder. I definitely know that those people know more than I do.
Have you read the order authorizing Mueller's investigation? Comey is mentioned but nothing about a FISA warrant: source . Comey was fired over very damaging claims, so the special investigation was then opened.
I read the entire Nunes memo. It wasn't very long. The claims it asserts come off as very circumstantial and possible to be spun. Additionally, it has been rebutted thoroughly by the DoJ. If you believe the Nunes memo, then you are admitting that you are ignorant of how FISA warrants actually work. They have multiple levels of evidence that has to be presented in order to be continued, and they cannot be continued without new evidence proving any prior FISA warrants are valid. The fact Carter Page has had multiple FISA warrant renewals means you are buying into a ruse by Nunes.
Anyone who thinks this loser is innocent can contribute his gofundme account. Andrew McCabe has an account also.
What is he guilty of precisely? Bias???
If you worked in the FBI and had evidence that a politician was using foreign agents to subvert our democratic process, do you think it would be biased for you to try to stop that?
If you worked in the FBI and had evidence that a politician was using foreign agents to subvert our democratic process, do you think it would be biased for you to try to stop that?
Evidently, Peter Strzok is worried enough to beg for a defense fund.
Consider this:
August 14, 2018
Strzok's firing reveals the scandal at the FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility
By Thomas Lifson
Because Trump-haters already are donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Peter Strzok's GoFundMe begathon, they are likely to fund his lawyers making an issue of his firing. The fact that the deputy director of the FBI overruled the Office of Professional Responsibility's recommendation for a mild penalty of a 60-day suspension and a demotion will no doubt be a centerpiece of their argument that politics reared its ugly head, and he is a martyr.
Good.
Sara Carter, with many sources within the FBI, lays out the case that the OPR acted with bias and needs reform.
I recommend that you read the whole thing, but here are some excerpts:
[W]hat could have led FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich, to make the decision to overrule OPR? ...
Former FBI special agents, some of whom worked with OPR for years, said they agree with Bodwich's decision. They told SaraACarter.com that the system is broken and Bodwich had no other choice but to step in and fire Strzok. They say political leanings, friendships and dual systems of justice inside OPR have plagued how cases regarding FBI agents are adjudicated and handled.
"Strzok was under oath before Congress and he made statements that appeared to be false and refused to answer some questions, but he was going to get just a slap on the wrist," said a former supervisory special agent from OPR adjudication, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the nature of their work. "There is absolutely no wiggle room when it comes to lack of candor in the FBI...unless you're an SES (Senior Executive Service). Strzok's firing went well beyond texting about Trump. Strzok would have also been involved in the handling of the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) application to the FISC (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court)..." The agent noted that Strzok was "well aware that he was lying by deception when they did not include the information on who paid for the dossier and (that) Bruce Ohr was back-channeling information for a discredited source."
"Strzok knew they were not putting the application in the right context," the former FBI supervisory special agent added. "If there was the slightest doubt if that application was not 100 percent true, then that application would not go forward."
Unless I am mistaken, these are felonious actions. No wonder Strzok needs a legal defense fund.
The OPR obviously needs reform, as does more than just the top management of the FBI.
I'm asking what Strzok is guilty of precisely. You are posting about whether his firing is legit or not. Sara Carter is also a Hannity lackey so I have a hard time taking her "I have sources, believe me" very seriously.
I also would stop reading American Thinker. Any publication that would defend Richard Spencer without calling him what he is, a white nationalist, is incredibly suspect. A publication says Richard Spencer is "equal to Bernie Sanders" and describing him as an "anti-jihad activist" wants to lie to you. Don't believe their lies. source
He's directly guilty of trying to de-fraud an investigation because he was trying to influence the presidential election. He's the one that purposely changed the wording in the Clinton report, went soft on Hillary when he interviewed her, and let his bias interfere with his professional job.
His ethics are disgusting and not deemed worthy of the FBI that is for DAMN sure. A lot of people within the organization hate that guys guts because it gives them a bad reputation. You act like none of this stuff is real or something. I'm sorry but you're living in denial.
