Key question in Strzok hearing today: Was the FBI spying (uh, running "informants") on the Trump campaign prior to its official start of Trump probe on July 31, 2016?
Also, when did he know who was behind the dossier? (Comey claimed ignorance on this info.) What interaction, if any, did he have with Simpson and Fusion GPS? What role did Bruce/Nellie Ohr play in this?
When did that information about Papadopoulos really come in? The meeting in London was in May. FBI didn't start investigation (based on that meeting) until end of July. Did they sit on it? Only go back to it when they decided they wanted to get a FISA warrant?
And how did that Papadopoulos info come in to FBI? It didn't come from official channels--Five Eyes intelligence. Did it come via the Obama (ex-Clinton) State Department?
Sounds like the person who should be in that witness chair is Christopher Wray, to answer why the FBI has told Strzok to obstruct Congressional inquiries.
Did Strzok use the "ongoing investigation" excuse when he gave private testimony? Presumably not. So why is it now valid to avoid questions?
Anyone think Democrats look a little desperate to make sure Peter Strzok doesn't have to answer any questions? Wonder what they fear.
Strzok takes "great offense" that anyone might think that what he wrote was what he meant--that his bias against Trump was bias. Can't make this stuff up.
And Representative Eric Swalwell (D., Non Sequiter) brings up ... Steven Bannon!
90-minute takeway from Strzok hearing: Democrats have forged new strategy for shutting down oversight. Interrupt, call points of order, argue over points of order, demand recorded votes, eat up time, protect the witness. Hope Republicans are taking notes.
This whole hearing watching Strzok is making me ill.
How can they go into Manaforts house on a raid and take everything and then into Cohen’s office and take everything but they cannot get this a$$holes personal phone?
“Strzok takes “great offense” that anyone might think that what he wrote was what he meant—that his bias against Trump was bias. Can’t make this stuff up.”
I couldn’t believe that he said with a straight face that was his texts were not biased.