Jun 21 2018

Graham Presses IG For Additional Details On 'Insurance Policy' Meeting Between FBI Agents Strzok, Page And 'Andy'

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) continued to press the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Michael Horowitz for additional information about the August 15, 2016, meeting between three individuals in the office of the former Deputy Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe. According to released text messages, FBI agents Peter Strzok, the effective head of the Clinton email investigation and Lisa Page were in attendance, along with a third individual identified only as “Andy”.

In a letter to the IG, Graham wrote, “Based on your answers, I have the impression Strzok told your office that McCabe, in fact, attended the meeting referenced in the text message.  It is further my understanding that McCabe told your office he denied attending, or did not recall, the meeting referenced in the text message.”

He continued, “Do you believe Strzok or McCabe, and why is it important?  What did Page tell your office about the meeting referenced in the text message?  What are your plans to resolve this factual dispute? I believe it would be of grave consequence if the Deputy Director of the FBI met with the lead investigator of the Clinton Email and Russia investigations to talk about “an insurance policy” against Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 election.  That would show bias and inappropriate behavior at the highest levels of the FBI. 

The full text of the letter is below and attached.

June 20, 2018

The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz

Inspector General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

 

Dear Inspector General Horowitz:

Thank you for your testimony and hard work on behalf of the Department of Justice and the American people. 

When you testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 18, 2018, I asked you who “Andy” is in the following August 15, 2016, text message from Peter Strzok to Lisa Page:

“I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office — that there’s no way he gets elected — but I'm afraid we can’t take that risk. It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you're 40.”

You responded that “Andy” refers to Andrew McCabe, the former Deputy Director of the FBI.

Based on your answers, I have the impression Strzok told your office that McCabe, in fact, attended the meeting referenced in the text message.  It is further my understanding that McCabe told your office he denied attending, or did not recall, the meeting referenced in the text message.

Do you believe Strzok or McCabe, and why is it important?  What did Page tell your office about the meeting referenced in the text message?  What are your plans to resolve this factual dispute?

I believe it would be of grave consequence if the Deputy Director of the FBI met with the lead investigator of the Clinton Email and Russia investigations to talk about “an insurance policy” against Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 election.  That would show bias and inappropriate behavior at the highest levels of the FBI.

Please provide me with all documents, statements, and transcripts related to this text message exchange and the meeting described in the text message exchange, including any statements by Strzok, Page, and McCabe.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

 

Lindsey O. Graham

United States Senator