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FBI agent clashes with GOP at hearing on Russia probe

By ERIC TUCKER and MARY ment Reform Committee.
CLARE JALONICK “Agent Strzok had Donald
Associated Press Trump impeached before
WASHINGTON (AP) — he even started investigat-
An embattled FBI agent ing him. That is bias.”
whose anti-Trump text mes- Republican Rep. Darrell Issa
sages exposed the Justice made Strzok read his texts
Department to claims of aloud, including some with
institutional bias launched profane language. House
a vigorous defense Thurs- Judiciary Committee Chair-
day at an extraordinary man Bob Goodlatte asked
congressional hearing that the audience to imagine
devolved into shouting being investigated by an
matches, finger-pointing agent who “hated you”
and veiled references to and “disparaged you in all
personal transgressions. manner of ways.”
Peter Strzok testified public- “Would anyone sitting here
ly for the first time since be- today believe that this was
ing removed from special an acceptable state of
counsel Robert Mueller’s affairs, particularly at an
team following the discov- agency whose motto is ‘Fi-
ery of the texts last year. He delity, Bravery and Integ-
said the communications rity’? I think not,” Goodlatte FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok, testifies before a House Judiciary Committee joint hear-
with an FBI lawyer in the said. ing on “oversight of FBI and Department of Justice actions surrounding the 2016 election” on
run-up to the 2016 presi- Strzok repeatedly insisted Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 12, 2018.
dential election reflected the texts, including ones in Associated Press
purely personal opinions which he called Trump a apart,” Strzok said. in which he vowed “we’ll them.
that he never once acted “disaster” and said “We’ll The hearing reflected a lit- stop” a Trump candidacy “That is who we are as the
on, though he did acknowl- stop” a Trump candidacy, tle-discussed reality of pub- followed Trump’s denigra- FBI,” Strzok said in an ani-
edge being dismayed dur- did not reflect political bias lic service: Law enforce- tion of the family of a dead mated riff that drew Demo-
ing the campaign by the and had not infected his ment agents and other U.S. service member. He cratic applause. “And the
Republican candidate’s work. government workers are said the late-night, off-the- suggestion that I, in some
behavior. He said the Trump investi- permitted to espouse politi- cuff text reflected his belief dark chamber somewhere
“At no time, in any of those gation originated not out cal views but are expected that Americans would not in the FBI, would somehow
texts, did those personal of personal animus but to keep them separate stomach such “horrible, cast aside all of these pro-
beliefs ever enter into the rather from concern that from their work. Strzok said disgusting behavior” by the cedures, all of these safe-
realm of any action I took,” Russia was meddling in the he was not alone in hold- presidential candidate. guards and somehow be
Strzok told lawmakers. election, including what ing political opinions, not- But, he added in a raised able to do this is astound-
In breaking his silence at he said were allegations ing that colleagues in 2016 voice and emphatic tone: ing to me. It simply couldn’t
a daylong hearing, Strzok of “extraordinary signifi- supported both Clinton “It was in no way — un- happen.”
came face-to-face with cance” of a Russian offer of and Trump but did not re- equivocally — any sugges- The hearing exposed clear
Republicans who angrily assistance to a Trump cam- flect those views on the job. tion that me, the FBI, would partisan divides in the
argued that the texts had paign member. He insisted that separation take any action whatsoev- House judiciary and over-
tainted two hugely conse- He made clear his exas- was possible. “What I am er to improperly impact the sight committees, as Demo-
quential FBI probes he had peration at being the focus telling you is I and the other electoral process for any crats accused Republicans
helped steer: inquiries into of a hearing when Russian men and women of the candidate. So, I take great of trying to divert attention
Hillary Clinton’s email use election interference had FBI, every day take our per- offense, and I take great from Trump’s ties to Russia
and possible coordination successfully sowed discord sonal beliefs, and set those disagreement to your as- through an excessive focus
between the Trump cam- in America. aside in vigorous pursuit of sertion of what that was or on Strzok. Democratic Rep.
paign and Russia. “I have the utmost respect the truth — wherever it lies, wasn’t.” Steve Cohen of Tennessee
“Agent Strzok had Hillary for Congress’s oversight whatever it is.” Plus, he said, both the said he would give Strzok
Clinton winning the White role, but I truly believe To which Rep. Ted Poe, R- Clinton and Russia investi- a Purple Heart if he could.
House before he finished that today’s hearing is just Texas, responded, “And I gations were handled by Rep. Bonnie Watson Cole-
investigating her,” said another victory notch in don’t believe you.” large teams that “would man, D-New Jersey, said,
Rep. Trey Gowdy, Republi- Putin’s belt and another Strzok said under aggressive not tolerate any improper “I have never seen my col-
can chairman of the House milestone in our enemies’ questioning that a much- behavior in me anymore leagues so out of control,
Oversight and Govern- campaign to tear America discussed August 2016 text than I would tolerate it in so angry.”q