FBI agent Peter Strzok was escorted from the building Friday as the Justice Department inspector general investigates his text messages — and his attorney Tuesday slammed the inquiry as appearing to be "tainted by political influence."
CNN reported Tuesday that Strzok was removed from Russia special counsel Robert Mueller's team and escorted out of headquarters, but he still remained on the FBI's payroll.
The texts of Strzok and FBI colleague Lisa Page were cited by Inspector General Michael Horowitz as an example of agency bias against Republican candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
In the exchange, from Aug. 8, 2016, Page asked whether Trump would become president.
Strzok replied: "No. No he's not. We'll stop it."
Horowitz said five FBI officials expressed hostility toward Trump during the campaign — and their actions had been referred for possible disciplinary action.
The inspector general told Congress on Tuesday the texts were under review.
However, Strzok's attorney, Aitan Goelman, said in a statement: "Just as he has been for the last 20 years, Pete Strzok remains a proud FBI agent who wants to continue working to keep the American people safe."
His client, he said, "has steadfastly played by the rules and respected the process, and yet he continues to be the target of unfounded personal attacks, political games, and inappropriate information leaks.
"All of this seriously calls into question the impartiality of the disciplinary process, which now appears tainted by political influence," Goelman said.
"Instead of publicly calling for a long-serving FBI agent to be summarily fired, politicians should allow the disciplinary process to play out free from political pressure," he continued.
"Despite being put through a highly questionable process, Pete has complied with every FBI procedure, including being escorted from the building as part of the ongoing internal proceedings.
"Our leaders and the public should be very concerned with how readily such influence has been allowed to undermine due process and the legal protections owed to someone who has served his country for so long," Goelman said.
"Pete Strzok and the American people deserve better."