FBI Agent Peter Strzok was grilled on Capitol Hill Thursday by members of Congress for sending anti-Trump texts during two ongoing investigations. Well, he was at least grilled by the Republicans. The likes of Reps. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Jim Jordan (R-OH), and Louie Gohmert (R-TX) demanded to know whether Strzok let his political bias affect his job. He admitted that he "detested" Donald Trump, but at no point did his political ideology factor in to his work at the FBI. The interrogators didn't believe him. Gohmert was particularly combative, telling Strzok he didn't appreciate the "smirk" on his face and that he was a "disgrace" to FBI agents all over the country.
Strzok maintained throughout the hearing that his political opinions did not amount to bias.
"Political belief does not equate to bias and we always have to go to the evidence," he said. "If you can demonstrate evidence of acts of bias, well then bias is there."
It was a lovefest, however, on the other side of the aisle. It seemed almost every time a Democrat got their question time, they had nothing but praise for the FBI agent. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) said we should be "honoring" Strzok for the work he's done to keep the country safe.
One Democrat even wished he could award Strzok a purple heart.
What an insult to wounded service members:
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) July 12, 2018
Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen tells disgraced FBI agent Strzok: "If I could give you a Purple Heart, I would. You deserve one." pic.twitter.com/G47C5GhSLk
Some of Strzok's most controversial texts with FBI lawyer Lisa Page, with whom he was having an extramarital affair, including expletive-filled messages about Trump and his supporters.