Jul 13 2018

Graham Seeks Answers on Extent of Strzok, Page Involvement in Early Russia Investigation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) wants Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to provide answers on the extent to which FBI Agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page were involved in the early stages of the Russia investigation, given the extreme bias the agents demonstrated against then-candidate, Donald Trump in the Clinton email investigation.

In the letter to Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein Graham noted, “… Strzok and Page were also intimately involved in the beginnings of the Russia investigation targeting the Trump Campaign and Trump associates.  In reference to the Russia investigation, the New York Times recently reported that a ‘government informant met several times with Mr. Page and Mr. Papadopolous.”1

He continued, “Please answer the following questions:

  1. Did Strzok or Page have any role in retaining or supervising the informant or directing the decision to use the informant?  Did Strzok or Page have any such role as to any informant used to investigate the Trump Campaign or Trump associates?
  2. Did Strzok or Page have any role in reviewing, approving, or supplying information for the FISA warrant obtained to surveil Carter Page?”

Graham concluded, “Strzok and Page both have been removed from the Russia investigation, but we still are unsure of the initial role they played in that investigation.  It is important that these questions are answered.” 

The full text of the letter is below and attached.

June 26, 2018

The Honorable Rod J. Rosenstein

Deputy Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein:

Last week, Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz testified before Congress regarding DOJ’s handling of the Clinton email investigation.  The evidence contained in Mr. Horowitz’s report shows an overwhelming bias against then-candidate Donald Trump.  In particular, Peter Strzok, the head agent in charge of the Clinton email investigation, and Lisa Page, a top FBI attorney, exchanged message after message showing extreme bias against Donald Trump and a willingness to use their positions at FBI to ensure that he not get elected.  While I am sensitive to the idea that Congressional oversight must be tempered when it involves ongoing investigations, there comes a point when the public’s right to be informed of a corrupt investigation wins the day.  I view the Clinton email investigation as corrupt, not just biased.

In that regard, Strzok and Page were also intimately involved in the beginnings of the Russia investigation targeting the Trump Campaign and Trump associates.  In reference to the Russia investigation, the New York Times recently reported that a “government informant met several times with Mr. Page and Mr. Papadopolous.”[1]

Please answer the following questions:

  1. Did Strzok or Page have any role in retaining or supervising the informant or directing the decision to use the informant?  Did Strzok or Page have any such role as to any informant used to investigate the Trump Campaign or Trump associates?
  2. Did Strzok or Page have any role in reviewing, approving, or supplying information for the FISA warrant obtained to surveil Carter Page?

Strzok and Page both have been removed from the Russia investigation, but we still are unsure of the initial role they played in that investigation.  It is important that these questions are answered.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Lindsey O. Graham

United States Senator

 

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[1] Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman and Nicholas Fandos, Code Name Crossfire Hurricane: The Secret Origins of the Trump Investigation, New York Times (May 16, 2018).