A string of text message exchanges between two senior FBI agents shows that, on the campaign trail, the operatives dreaded a Trump victory and thought the then-presidential candidate was an “idiot” who may win.
One of the agents is Peter Strzok who worked as a counterintelligence expert on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team investigating Russia’s alleged collusion with the Trump campaign last year. Mueller ousted Strzok earlier this month, but Congress asked him to hand over the controversial text messages.
The documents surfaced in the wake of a probe by the Department of Justice into Strzok and FBI counsel Lisa Page. The two agents’ communications date back to the primary season last year.
In March, Page texted her colleague to express disbelief that Trump could be considered “an actual candidate” for the U.S. presidency. She described the future presidential candidate as a “loathsome human”. In response, Strzok agreed but added that he might win.
Other text messages show the duo had very strong opinions on the presidential campaign, commenting on nearly every aspect including Trump’s hands and his wife’s convention speech.
In August, Strzok texted the other agent again, comparing the prospect of a Trump win to the “unlikely event” of a person dying before age 40.
Both FBI Agents Were Part of Mueller Team
Strzok, who was the bureau’s second-best expert in counterintelligence, led the agency’s probe into Hillary Clinton’s e-mail server. He was also involved in the probe into the alleged Russian involvement in the U.S. presidential campaign. This summer, he was transferred to the FBI’s human resources.
Page also worked on Mueller’s team, but for a short period of time.
In late October 2016, Strzok texted his colleague once more:
I am riled up. Trump is an (expletive) idiot, is unable to provide a coherent answer.
On election night, when all signs pointed to a Trump win, Strzok texted Page, “OMG THIS IS (expletive) TERRIFYING.” And the FBI lawyer agreed.
Mueller’s team said Strzok was dismissed the moment the text messages surfaced.
Image Source: Wikimedia