Congressman Krishnamoorthi Asks FBI Director Wray’s Assurance That Strzok Firing Did Not Occur at the Urging of the White House or Attorney General Sessions

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of the Oversight Committee called on FBI Director Christopher Wray to assure Congress and the American people that former Special Agent Peter Strzok's firing from the FBI, a penalty far in excess of the Bureau's Office of Professional Responsibility's recommendation, was not undertaken as political reprisal or at the urging of either the White House or Attorney General Sessions.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi's signed letter is viewable here and the text follows below.

August 13, 2018

Director Christopher Wray

Federal Bureau of Investigation

935 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20535

Dear Director Wray,

On June 18, 2018, you testified before Congress that the Federal Bureau of Investigation would conduct an independent disciplinary investigation into Special Agent Peter Strzok that would hold him "strictly accountable, but that would be 'done by the book.'" On August 13, Politico reported that Agent Strzok had been fired, despite the fact that an internal disciplinary review had recommended only a demotion and a 60-day suspension.[1]

It is of the utmost importance that the FBI make personnel decisions based on the integrity of the organization and the safety and security needs of the American people. Federal law enforcement must remain insulated from political pressures, including the political efforts to undermine the FBI's investigation into Russian attacks on our democracy and entanglements with President Trump and his campaign. With that in mind, it is vital that Congress is provided with answers to the following:

• Is punishment in excess of disciplinary review recommendations a departure from normal FBI procedure?
• Why did Deputy Director Davis Bowdich overrule the official recommendations of the internal review with respect to Agent Strzok's discipline?
• What new information came to light that was unknown to those conducting the internal review that led to Agent Strzok's dismissal?
• Did Attorney General Sessions or his personal staff contact you or Deputy Director Davis Bowdich regarding the disciplinary investigation of Agent Strzok and the decision to overrule its recommendations?
• Did any White House officials contact you or Deputy Director Davis Bowdich regarding the disciplinary investigation of Agent Strzok and the decision to overrule its recommendations?
• Will you assure Congress and the American people that Agent Strzok was removed for solely professional, and not political, reasons?

At a time of unprecedented attacks on our national intelligence community, the American people must be assured of transparency and nonpartisanship in the actions of the FBI and the conduct of these investigations. Thank you for your attention on this matter, and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Raja Krishnamoorthi

Member of Congress