Thousands of text messages from FBI official Peter Strzok were obtained and published by the news media Tuesday. Many displayed the anti-Trump bias that led to Strzok's demotion from the Mueller investigation into Russian election interference and alleged collusion.
What did the texts say?
The texts include epithet-laden insults and angry observations about Trump and his voters. Shannon Bream of Fox News posted many examples on her Twitter account:
Strzok/Page texts obtained by Fox's @JakeBGibson - POTUS called a "loathsome human being" "an idiot" "awful"— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513132276.0
The texts are often from conversations between Strzok and Lisa Page, another FBI official who worked on the Mueller investigations.
In one example, Page texts, "He’s awful," apparently in reference to Trump.
Strzok responds, "America will get what the voting public deserves."
Page replies, "That’s what I’m afraid of."
Strzok/Page texts - obtained by Fox's @JakeBGibson - re candidate Trump - "LP: He’s awful PS: America will get w… https://t.co/DuiPMYW9DD— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513132618.0
Strzok/Page texts obtained by @JakeBGibson - "PS: God Hillary should win. 100,000,000-0. LP: I know"— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513132406.0
Strzok/Page texts obtained by Fox's @JakeBGibson "LP – I can not believe Donald Trump is likely to be an actual, se… https://t.co/T7ALggBc5Q— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513133511.0
One text appears to suggest that Strzok was in a position at the FBI to counteract Trump's agenda.
Strzok/Page texts LP – And maybe you’re meant to stay where you are because you’re meant to protect the country fr… https://t.co/gmBAgaqeDd— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513134240.0
Others simply ridiculed Trump and his supporters:
Strzok/Page PS – And are you kidding me? Duck Dynasty now Scot Baio? Ridiculous LP – Wait, is that who is speak… https://t.co/TOh6HHxehI— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513134351.0
Strzok/Page texts obtained by Fox's @JakeBGibson re: Trump campaign July 2016 "LP – God, it’s just a two-bit orga… https://t.co/DsKR9WJUoM— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513135105.0
Strzok/Page texts obtained by Fox's @JakeBGibson - August 2016 "PS – Just went to a southern Virginia Walmart. I… https://t.co/SkUMGyQ0Xz— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513136064.0
Strzok/Page texts 10/20/16 PS - I am riled up. Trump is a f*cking idiot, is unable to provide a coherent answer.… https://t.co/ehwsO6r2JL— Shannon Bream (@Shannon Bream) 1513138575.0
The texts were published in time for Deputy District Attorney Rosenstein's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, where he is certain to be asked to explain the significance of the texts.
Allies of the president have suggested that reports such as these point to a bias in the FBI against Trump and his political agenda.
On Thursday, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) demanded that Attorney General Jeff Sessions appoint a second special counsel to investigate the claims or step down from his office.
What was the response?
President Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. responded to the CBS report from his Twitter account, saying, "You forgot to put quotes around “impartiality” because there is literally nothing impartial about him. The Salem Witch trials were less biased."
You forgot to put quotes around “impartiality” because there is literally nothing impartial about him. The Salem Wi… https://t.co/FTLb2q4Xar— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1513133253.0
He was responding to a tweet from CBS News reading, "Timeline of texts from former Special Counsel investigator Peter Strzok may raise concerns about his impartiality and will likely raise more questions about the Clinton server investigation."
Former Trump official Sebastian Gorka responded to the texts on Sean Hannity's show: