FBI Agent Peter Strzok Fired From FBI For Expressing Private Views Critical Of Donald Trump

Peter Strzok was fired on Friday after serving in the FBI for 21 years, his lawyer Aitan Goelman said in a statement.

"The decision to fire Special Agent Strzok is not only a departure from typical Bureau practice, but also contradicts (FBI) Director (Christopher) Wray's testimony to Congress and his assurances that the FBI intended to follow its regular process in this and all personnel matters," Goelman stated.

Republican legislators and right-wing media had accused Strzok of anti-Trump bias, yet failed to provide any evidence that his personal opinions had influenced the way he carried out his duties as FBI agent.

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“Let me be clear, unequivocally and under oath, not once in my 26 years of defending my nation did my personal opinions impact any official action I took,” Strzok said in his opening statement before a joint hearing of the House judiciary and oversight and government reform committees in July.

“I have the utmost respect for Congress’s oversight role, but I truly believe that today’s hearing is just another victory notch in Putin’s belt and another milestone in our enemies’ campaign to tear America apart,” he continued.

Strzok's firing signals the Trump administration's intention to politicize the civil service and make loyalty to Trump a prerequisite for serving in government positions.

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