FBI agent Peter Strzok is testifying before the House Judiciary and Oversight committees. Follow along here: judiciary.house.gov/hearing/commit…
Strzok, being questioned by Rep. Trey Gowdy, is saying he would like to answer questions about the Russia investigation but can’t because the FBI told him not to & the investigation is ongoing.
Chairman Goodlatte is trying to force Strzok to answer, citing potential for contempt. Ranking member Nadler is trying to stop Goodlatte with points of order.
In sum, it’s already a shitshow.
Strzok asks if he can consult with FBI lawyers, who are behind him. Goodlatte says he can only consult with his own lawyer, prompting laughs and disbelief from Democrats in the room.
Goodlatte asks what Trump support “smells” like. (Reference to a text sent by Strzok about “smelling” Trump support in a Virginia Walmart.)
Check out our first hit on this, by @SarahMMimms: buzzfeed.com/sarahmimms/pet…
Nadler is calling upon Republicans to release the full 11-hour transcript of Strzok’s closed-door interview with the committees, saying portions have already been leaked & taken out of context.
“Not today,” Goodlatte says.
“Not today,” Goodlatte says.
Cicilline says they’ll give Republicans until 5 pm to provide a rule against releasing the transcript.
Goodlatte says there was an agreement in place not to do so.
Goodlatte says there was an agreement in place not to do so.
Strzok says he would not object to the release of the transcript.
“We agree to nothing because we were not asked,” Nadler says re: agreement.
In other news, Goodlatte says the committees have reached an agreement for Lisa Page to be interviewed: 
eeeee
Hearing is on break until 2 pm, FYI.
It's back. Rep. Issa has Strzok reading some of his texts, so the word "douche" has made it into the record.
DC's Eleanor Holmes Norton has so far referred to the intelligence community as the "intelligence committee" and "intelligence commission."
Strzok says “I absolutely regret the appearance” of some of his texts.
Strzok also said earlier that his text about a Trump presidency being “destabilizing” was after Trump made a comment about potentially not adhering to NATO’s Article 5 — on-topic this week as Trump meets with NATO leaders in Brussels.
Strzok responds to Republican criticisms of Mueller’s team as being full of Democrats. Strzok says they’re the “best in America” an that he has “complete faith and confidence” that they’ll find the truth.
Dems are upset that Gowdy is getting to re-ask questions during Democratic time. (Strzok had consulted with FBI & could provide different answers now.) Goodlatte says Gowdy will be allowed to proceed.
Dems: Could you cite the rule?
Goodlatte: No.
Dems: Could you cite the rule?
Goodlatte: No.
This is interesting from earlier:
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, on Russia: "They engage occasionally in assassination of political rivals?
Strzok: "They do, yes."
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, on Russia: "They engage occasionally in assassination of political rivals?
Strzok: "They do, yes."
Strzok says Republicans are being selective in which texts they highlight. He says that while he sent a text about impeachment, he also sent a text where he said he wasn’t sure if there was a there, there in the Russia investigation.
Not entirely clear to me what Rep. Gohmert is talking about.
There is much yelling happening.
Prompting someone to yell to Gohmert, “you need your medication!”
Updated with the dramatic eruption: buzzfeed.com/sarahmimms/pet…
Yeah, this was...a lot.
Hearing is on break again as House votes.
Strzok says the behaviour described by Swalwell — Trump Moscow negotiations, Trump Tower meeting, etc — concerns him “tremendously” from a counterintelligence perspective.
Ok folks, I’m tuning out, for the most part. Here’s our story again if you need to catch up on what happened today: buzzfeed.com/sarahmimms/pet…
