GOP reps demand answers from FBI on missing texts

By Brett Samuels -
GOP reps demand answers from FBI on missing texts

Several Republican lawmakers signed off on a letter sent Thursday to FBI Director Christopher Wray pushing for answers about five months worth of missing text messages between two FBI officials.

Rep. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) GaetzGOP reps demand release of 'shocking' surveillance memo GOP rep: 'Sheet metal and garbage' everywhere in Haiti Allies warn Trump against interview with Mueller: report MORE (R-Fla.) sent the letter seeking information about the FBI’s policies on maintaining communications and retrieving data and the technology that led to a failure to preserve the messages.

The FBI informed the Department of Justice (DOJ) this week that it failed to preserve text messages between FBI agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page. Strzok was removed last year from special counsel Robert MuellerRobert Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud choice of Mueller to lead Russia probe MORE’s team for sending anti-Trump messages.

The DOJ has opened an investigation into the missing messages, which the FBI said were not retained because of “misconfiguration issues” with the bureau’s mobile devices.

The missing text messages span from Dec. 14, 2016, to May 17, 2017, which is when Mueller was appointed as the special counsel to lead an investigation into Russian meddling.

Republican lawmakers, who have used Strzok’s messages to argue Mueller’s probe is biased against the president, have argued the missing messages are the latest indication of political bias within the FBI. 

In an interview Wednesday night, Gaetz called the missing messages the “biggest coincidence since the Immaculate Conception.”

Pressed on what he meant by that, Gaetz inaccurately explained what the Immaculate Conception was, but said he was simply making a point about the absurdity of the coincidence of those texts from that timeframe missing.

The letter notes that during the time of the missing messages "President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump: If there's no wall, there's no DACA fix Trump appears to call out Samsung over missing FBI text messages Trump Commerce pick told lawmakers he would look at reversing Obama move on internet oversight: report MORE formally took office, Michael Flynn was hired, fired, and interviewed (by Peter Strzok), Buzzfeed published the “salacious and unverified” dossier, and Robert Mueller was appointed to serve as Special Counsel. The FBI’s message-retention capabilities were suddenly restored on May 17th, the same day Mueller was appointed."

Eight other Republican lawmakers also signed off on the letter, including Reps. Jim JordanJames (Jim) Daniel JordanHouse Freedom Caucus lobbied Trump for help in releasing FBI memo: report Republicans demand new special counsel over lost FBI text messages FBI says House Intel chief hasn't shared memo alleging surveillance abuses MORE (Ohio), Mark SanfordMarshall (Mark) Clement SanfordTrump action on tariffs triggers GOP alarm Overnight Regulation: Florida decision puts Trump drilling plan on shaky ground | Trump floats staying in Paris climate deal | Dems rush into net neutrality fight Overnight Energy: Zinke under fire for exempting Florida from drilling plan | Trump floats staying in Paris deal | NYC sues big oil over climate MORE (S.C.), Mark DeSantis (Fla.), Blake FarentholdRandolph (Blake) Blake FarentholdConservatives call for end to taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlements Ethics panel opens probe into GOP lawmaker accused of sexual harassment House sexual harassment overhaul sidelines ethics watchdog MORE (Texas), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Raul LabradorRaul Rafael LabradorDespite amnesty, DACA bill favors American wage-earners Our immigration courts are drowning, expedited removal can bring relief Raúl Labrador to run for Idaho governor MORE (Idaho), Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsHouse Freedom Caucus lobbied Trump for help in releasing FBI memo: report Emboldened conservatives press Ryan to bring hard-right immigration bill to floor Republicans demand new special counsel over lost FBI text messages MORE (N.C.) and Glenn ThompsonGlenn (G.T.) W. ThompsonGOP reps demand answers from FBI on missing text messages GOP rep. lauds Merkel visit MORE (Pa.).