Peter Strzok on Tuesday called allegations by Attorney General William BarrBill BarrJustice Dept. blasts Mexico's decision to close probe of former defense minister Acting attorney general condemns Capitol riots, warns 'no tolerance' for violence at Biden inauguration Barr, White House counsel told Trump not to self-pardon: report MORE that the former FBI counterintelligence agent set up a perjury trap for former national security adviser Michael Flynn "ludicrous."
"The Justice Department is trying to dismiss charges against former national security adviser Flynn. You went to the White House to interview him back in 2017. The attorney general is saying what you did is set up a quote 'perjury trap.' Did you do that, sir?" "CBS This Morning" co-host Tony Dokoupil asked Strzok.
"Not at all. That’s a ludicrous accusation," Strzok replied. "The national security adviser of the United States had discussions with the Russian ambassador about lessening Russian response to ... sanctions well before the Trump administration was sworn in.
"We get one president at a time in this country and what Flynn did and what the FBI was trying to do to understand what he had done was absolutely legitimate, was absolutely justified," he added.
Former FBI agent @PeterStrzok is out with a new book today that accuses President Trump
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) September 8, 2020Donald TrumpIran convicts American businessman on spying charge: report DC, state capitals see few issues, heavy security amid protest worries Pardon-seekers have paid Trump allies tens of thousands to lobby president: NYT MORE of being a national security threat.
"Compromised" focuses on his work with the Mueller investigation of possible collusion between Russia & the 2016 Trump campaign. pic.twitter.com/MbxAiHZAqZ
Strzok's comments come on the day his new book, "Compromised," goes on sale.
He was fired from the FBI in August 2018 after multiple texts were revealed with FBI lawyer Lisa Page that were highly critical of President Trump during Strzok's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Strzok has sued the FBI and Department of Justice for publicly releasing his personal text messages with Page, with whom he had a personal relationship.
Trump has mocked the pair during rallies and on social media.
When Lisa Page, the lover of Peter Strzok, talks about being “crushed”, and how innocent she is, ask her to read Peter’s “Insurance Policy” text, to her, just in case Hillary loses. Also, why were the lovers text messages scrubbed after he left Mueller. Where are they Lisa?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2019
Page, who was signed by MSNBC as a contributor earlier this year, is also suing the Justice Department.