Orethapedia

Republicans have criticized the messages and exchanges that came from Mr. Strzok  to argue that it demonstrated evidence of anti-Trump bias at the FBI.

Mr. Strzok defended himself in kind.

Here is what he revealed:

Statement # 1

“In terms of the texts that ‘we will stop it,’ you need to understand that was written late at night, off-the-cuff, and it was in response to a series of events that included then-candidate Trump insulting the immigrant family of a fallen war hero, and my presumption, based on that horrible, disgusting behavior that the American population would not elect somebody demonstrating that behavior to be President of the United States,” Strzok said.

Statement #2

I’m also proud of our work on the Russian interference investigation. This is an investigation into a direct attack by a foreign adversary – and it is no less so simply because it was launched against our democratic process rather than against a military base. This is something that all Americans, of all political persuasions, should be alarmed by. In the summer of 2016, we had an urgent need to protect the integrity of an American Presidential election from a hostile foreign power determined to weaken and divide the United States of America. This investigation is not politically motivated, it is not a witch hunt, it is not a hoax.

Statement #3

I understand we are living in a political era in which insults and insinuation often drown out honesty and integrity. But the honest truth is that Russian interference in our elections constitutes a grave attack on our democracy. Most disturbingly, it has been wildly successful – sowing discord in our nation and shaking faith in our institutions. I have the utmost respect for Congress’s oversight role, but I truly believe that today’s hearing is just another victory notch in Putin’s belt and another milestone in our enemies’ campaign to tear America apart.

As someone who loves this country and cherishes its ideals, it is profoundly painful to watch and even worse to play a part in.

Statement 4

Strzok slammed Rep. Walker’s assertion that he was lying by raising his voice yet again.

“I am here under oath. I am not lying. I have never lied under oath and I never will,” Strzok said. “The insinuation—not even the insinuation, the direct comment that you somehow say I have an integrity issue is insulting. I take offense. It is incorrect.”

Statement 5

Strzok reiterated his insistence that, despite the sentiment expressed in his texts, the FBI’s investigation was not politically motivated and his views had no impact on the probe.

“I take great offense and I take great disagreement to your assertion” that “the FBI would take any action whatsoever to improperly impact the electoral process for any candidate.”

“Furthermore, this isn’t just me sitting here telling you – you don’t have to take my word for it,” Strzok said. “At every step – at every investigative decision – there were multiple layers of people above me: the assistant director, the deputy assistant director, deputy director, and director of the FBI – and multiple layers of people below me: section chiefs, supervisors, unit chiefs, case agents, and analysts. All of whom were involved in all of these decisions. They would not tolerate any improper behavior in me any more than I would tolerate it in them.”

Statement 6

Strzok made an impassioned plea for lawmakers to understand that the FBI carries no bias.

“That is who we are as the FBI and the suggestion that I in some dark chamber somewhere would somehow cast aside all of these procedures all of these safeguards and somehow be able to do this is astounding to me,” Strzok said. “It simply couldn’t happen.”