Kevin Brock explains at TheHill.com why former FBI official Peter Strzok’s written messages disgraced the bureau, regardless of his actions.
Disgraced FBI agent Peter Strzok spent a long Thursday on Capitol Hill, trying his best to sell the idea that his own words are not indicative of how he acts. What a third-grader would recognize as absurd, nevertheless got the full political-theater treatment by an oversight committee that seemed to miss the point.
Peter Strzok’s text messages with former FBI attorney Lisa Page were disgusting. They were harmful to the FBI and, ultimately, to the American people. He should have apologized for them on their face. They are not words any FBI agent with such responsibilities should have uttered, regardless of whether or not they indicated bias. There is a higher principle at play here, but one he apparently didn’t recognize, since no apology was forthcoming.
Instead, he expressed regret that others used his irresponsible words to attack the FBI. Nice deflection attempt, Peter, but you own those words, despite your weak-chinned efforts to separate yourself from them. You, not others, did the damage to the FBI, the institution you professed to “love.”
Mr. Strzok may have convinced himself that he wasn’t biased but there apparently wasn’t a single member of the two House oversight committees who believed him. …
… Seemingly lost on Mr. Strzok and the oversight committees is a higher principle worth fighting for. You see, the FBI is more than an institution or an agency. It is an ideal of trust and fairness.
