2016 ELECTION/FBI/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The FBI has fired Peter Strzok, an agent who was removed from the Russia probe last year for sending text messages disparaging President Donald Trump, Strzok’s lawyer said Monday [8-13-18]. Aitan Goelman, Strzok’s attorney, said FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich ordered the agent’s termination on Friday. Goelman said that the deputy director’s decision comes after the head of the office that normally handles disciplinary actions decided Strzok should instead face a demotion and 60-day suspension…The FBI said in a statement that Strzok ‘was subject to the standard FBI review and disciplinary process after conduct highlighted in the IG report was referred to the FBI’s Office of Professional Responsibility.’ That office reviewed the investigative materials along with Strzok and his lawyer’s written and oral responses before issuing a decision, the statement said. It added that the deputy director has the authority to modify disciplinary findings or penalties if it is deemed in the best interest of the FBI. Strzok played a lead role in the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server and was involved in the FBI’s recommendation that no criminal charges be filed against the former secretary of state. He later helped oversee the beginnings of the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, and his involvement in both investigations has been seized on by Republicans as evidence of anti-Trump bias in the bureau and those investigating potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Moscow.”
–Maegan Vazquez, “Peter Strzok fired from the FBI,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, August 13, 2018 3:24 pm