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House members draft contempt measure after reports about FBI agent's ouster from meddling probe

By Debra Cassens Weiss

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Devin Nunes

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.)

House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes and other committee Republicans are drafting a contempt of Congress resolution following reports that an FBI agent was removed from the Russian influence probe this summer because of anti-Trump texts.

The New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reported on Saturday that FBI agent Peter Strzok was removed from the probe after Special Counsel Robert Mueller learned the Justice Department’s inspector general was examining the texts. Strzok had also helped lead the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server for emails.

A spokesman for Mueller confirmed that Strzok was removed from the probe “immediately upon learning of the allegations.”

Strzok reportedly exchanged the texts with FBI lawyer Lisa Page, with whom he was romantically involved. Page had worked for FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, whose wife, a one-time candidate for office, received political donations form a Clinton ally.

The contempt of Congress resolution names Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray, Bloomberg News reports. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from the probe.

Nunes, a California Republican, said the FBI and Justice Department had not sufficiently complied with an Aug. 24 committee subpoena, in part by failing to explain Strzok’s dismissal from the special counsel investigation.

President Donald Trump commented on the revelations on Twitter.

Related topics:

Criminal Justice | Federal Government

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