Trump questions how Russia probe can ‘proceed’ given FBI agent’s private comments

President Trump on Wednesday once again blasted the investigation into possible collusion between his campaign and Russia during the 2016 election, suggesting that FBI agent Peter Strzok compromised the probe from its outset.

“How can the Rigged Witch Hunt proceed when it was started, influenced and worked on, for an extended period of time, by former FBI Agent/Lover Peter Strzok?” Trump tweeted. “Read his hate filled and totally biased Emails and the answer is clear!”

How can the Rigged Witch Hunt proceed when it was started, influenced and worked on, for an extended period of time, by former FBI Agent/Lover Peter Strzok? Read his hate filled and totally biased Emails and the answer is clear!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2018

Strzok previously served as the chief of the FBI’s counterespionage section and played a role in the early days of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.

Mueller removed Strzok from the investigation after he was made aware that the agent exchanged text messages critical of Trump with another FBI official, Lisa Page, with whom Strzok was allegedly having an affair.

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Trump’s tweet came during his visit to Brussels for the annual NATO summit. Minutes before he leveled his attack on Twitter against Strzok, the president also tore into Page for her reported plans to defy a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee. 

“Ex-FBI LAYER [sic] Lisa Page today defied a House of Representatives issued Subpoena to testify before Congress!” Trump tweeted. “Wow, but is anybody really surprised! Together with her lover, FBI Agent Peter Strzok, she worked on the Rigged Witch Hunt, perhaps the most tainted and corrupt case EVER!”

Ex-FBI LAYER Lisa Page today defied a House of Representatives issued Subpoena to testify before Congress! Wow, but is anybody really surprised! Together with her lover, FBI Agent Peter Strzok, she worked on the Rigged Witch Hunt, perhaps the most tainted and corrupt case EVER!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2018

Trump has repeatedly decried the Russia investigation as a “witch hunt” and a “hoax” intended to undermine his presidency.