The FBI "masked people to protect them" and then "just threw them in the Russian investigation," Rep. Andy Biggs charged Wednesday afternoon, after two agents' names came up during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
"They ran an investigation that had a predetermined outcome, it looks like," the Arizona Republican, a Judiciary Committee member, told Fox News' "Outnumbered Overtime." "I think it gets to why so many of us view the [IG] report with skepticism."
During Tuesday's hearing, Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, R-N.C. claimed the FBI may have misled DOJ watchdog Michael Horowitz about the identities of FBI employees who had been caught sharing anti-Trump messages, during the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, reports Fox News.
Meadows told Horowitz that he wanted him to look into evidence that reports were changed to mask agents' identities. Horowitz said he does have information that witness reports were changed in both the Clinton and Russia probes, and Meadows asked him if two FBI agents who had allegedly made anti-Trump statements were named Kevin Clinesmith and Sally Moyer. Horowitz would not confirm their identities.
Clinesmith had allegedly said he was stressed about what he could have done differently, noted Fox News' Sandra Smith, and Biggs said he interpreted that to mean the agent was disappointed that his own candidate had not won the election.
"He is disappointed that the candidate didn't win and they didn't do more to obstruct the Trump campaign," said Biggs, "so he is saying 'I wish I had it back and I wish I had done more.' I think it gets to why so many of us view the report with skepticism but he is out there looking and pitching."
Clinesmith was removed from Mueller's team eventually, but he was there at the start of the investigation.
"That is why myself and colleagues have written series of letters to say unmask these people, let us know who they are," said Biggs. "Give us the documents that we are supposed to have. This is well beyond time because we continue to slow walk. Give them a subpoena. Hold them in contempt. Let's give the documents, the American people need it. If we will restore it and turn the republic back to the direction it needs to be. Start with the top law enforcement agencies."