Text messages sent by FBI agent Peter Strzok prior to the 2016 election implied a willingness to take official actions to impact the presidential election, according to a report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz.
“We were deeply troubled by text messages sent by Strzok and Page that potentially indicated or created the appearance that investigative decisions were impacted by bias or improper considerations,” states Horowitz in his highly anticipated report on the FBI’s handling of the probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email server while she was secretary of state.
“It is not only indicative of a bias state of mind but, even more seriously, it implies a willingness to take official action to impact the presidential candidate’s electoral prospects. This is antithetical to the core values of the FBI and the Department of Justice,” the report continues.
The report details exchanges between Strzok and his mistress and FBI colleague Lisa Page that they would “stop” Trump from becoming president. (RELATED: STRZOK: ‘We’ll Stop’ Trump Presidency)
“(Trump’s) not ever going to become president, right? Right?!” Page wrote in a text message to Strzok.
“No. No he’s not. We’ll stop it,” Strzok replied, according to the report.
“Several FBI employees Who played critical roles in the investigation sent political messages,” IG report says.
It cites Lisa Page text to Peter Strzok: “(Trump’s) not ever going to become president, right? Right?!”
Strzok: “No. No he’s not. We’ll stop it.”
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 14, 2018
“Several FBI employees who played critical roles in the investigation sent political messages,” the report states.
Despite acknowledging that the conduct of Strzok and Page “cast a cloud over the entire FBI investigation,” Horowitz concluded that their political bias did not affect the investigation into Clinton’s email server.
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