Trump armed federal agencies as former aide says ex-president wanted IRS audit of FBI agents probing Russian involvement in US election
Donald Trump reportedly discussed with the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies to investigate two FBI officials while in office.
What happened: Two FBI officials who were under Trump's lens were investigating his campaign's ties to Russia, the agency's second chief of staff says former White House Speaker John Kelly in an affidavit, The New York Times reported Friday.
The former staffer's claim, leaked Thursday, was filed as part of a lawsuit filed by Peter Strzok, the lead FBI agent in the investigation of the agency, and Lisa Page, the former attorney for the office, the report said. The lawsuits filed against the Justice Department allege a violation of their privacy rights when the Trump administration leaked the text messages between them.
Kelly reportedly said in the affidavit: "President Trump has considered whether investigations by the Internal Revenue Service or other federal agencies should be conducted into Mr. Strzok and /or Ms. Page."
"I don't know if President Trump ordered such an investigation. It appears, however, that he wanted Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page to be investigated," said he added.
See also: Trump's emergence is the "most important thing" in American politics "in 100 years", says Tucker Carlson: why 'everyone in Washington is wrong''
Trump's Witch-Hunting: Kelly's revelations highlighted the extent to which Trump has used law enforcement and federal investigative powers to target enemies suspected, according to the Times report.
The report also notes that former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by Trump, and his deputy Andrew McCabe were also subjected to an "unusual and invasive IRS audit."
Trump also reportedly discussed using the IRS and DOJ against others, including CIA Director John Brennan, Hillary Clinton and Jeff Bezos, Washington's last owner Post.
Read Next: How to Invest in Startups
Photo: Shutterstock
© 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Donald Trump reportedly discussed with the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies to investigate two FBI officials while in office.
What happened: Two FBI officials who were under Trump's lens were investigating his campaign's ties to Russia, the agency's second chief of staff says former White House Speaker John Kelly in an affidavit, The New York Times reported Friday.
The former staffer's claim, leaked Thursday, was filed as part of a lawsuit filed by Peter Strzok, the lead FBI agent in the investigation of the agency, and Lisa Page, the former attorney for the office, the report said. The lawsuits filed against the Justice Department allege a violation of their privacy rights when the Trump administration leaked the text messages between them.
Kelly reportedly said in the affidavit: "President Trump has considered whether investigations by the Internal Revenue Service or other federal agencies should be conducted into Mr. Strzok and /or Ms. Page."
"I don't know if President Trump ordered such an investigation. It appears, however, that he wanted Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page to be investigated," said he added.
See also: Trump's emergence is the "most important thing" in American politics "in 100 years", says Tucker Carlson: why 'everyone in Washington is wrong''
Trump's Witch-Hunting: Kelly's revelations highlighted the extent to which Trump has used law enforcement and federal investigative powers to target enemies suspected, according to the Times report.
The report also notes that former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by Trump, and his deputy Andrew McCabe were also subjected to an "unusual and invasive IRS audit."
Trump also reportedly discussed using the IRS and DOJ against others, including CIA Director John Brennan, Hillary Clinton and Jeff Bezos, Washington's last owner Post.
Read Next: How to Invest in Startups
Photo: Shutterstock
© 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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