When the Department of Justice's Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, released his report about how the FBI used Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court warrants to spy on the Trump campaign earlier this month, he determined that political bias did not play a role in what took place. What he did establish was that the FBI had 17 "errors or omissions" that took place in the FISA warrant application process.
Carter Page, the Trump associate who was at the center of the government's surveillance, told the Daily Wire he understands how Horowitz determined that political bias was not utilized. According to Page, it was not that political bias did not take place. It is that Horowitz could not definitely prove that such bias occurred. Page did, however, say that he believes "policy bias" played a role in the spying.
"The fundamental drivers of the impeachment process have an overlap with factors inherent in the IG report,” Page explained. “In each instance, I would say that the primary issue wasn’t political bias per se, such as Democrat versus Republican. The defining aspect of this was instead policy bias.”
What made Horowitz's report difficult was that it relied on a number of people who have previously been described as having a "lack of candor," the Daily Wire reported.
“I would say one of the biggest constraints is that many of the people he talked to have a track record of being less than forthcoming, as seen in some of their interviews before and after the release of the report,” Page said. “The IG report marked a positive development, but there’s a lot more to do. So, we’ll have to wait and see what happens next.”
The FBI has said they plan to review its internal processes and correct them. In Page's eyes, the FBI needs to not just establish new policies, but ensure that those at the agency actually follow the established policies and procedures.
"This must include doing the right thing, and acting ethically as attorneys," he said.
Page has said this entire fiasco has "ruined his good name" and that he will "never completely have his name restored," but he is more concerned with how this entire saga has impacted the country as a whole.
“My primary concern is the damage that’s been done to the country,” he said. “Like most people who are military veterans, we make sacrifices and there’s a bigger purpose beyond the personal impact that it’s had on just yourself.”
This has been a pretty historic, massive development, and it takes work to resolve some of these crimes. It’s a step-by-step rehabilitation process for our country," Page explained.
Horowitz's report confirmed that the FBI wrongfully spied upon the Trump associate. FBI lawyers knowingly lied about and omitted the fact that Page was working with the CIA. Whenever he would meet with the Russians, Page would come back and report to the CIA about his meetings. That was something the FBI conveniently left out of their FISA applications.
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