a?nittd Starts Smart WASHINGTON, DC 20510 December 6, 2017 The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz Inspector General US Department of Justice 950 Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Inspector General Horowitz: We understand that the Department of Justice Of?ce of Inspector General (DOJ OIG) continues its review of the actions of DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in advance of the 2016 presidential election.1 As part of this review, your of?ce discovered that a senior FBI agent allegedly exchanged electronic text messages ?that expressed anti-Trump political views? with an FBI colleague.2 We write to seek more information about the discovery of these electronic text messages and the actions you took in response. According to reports, FBI employees Peter Strzok and Lisa Page were involved in the exchange of text messages that exhibited political bias.3 Mr. Strzok was involved in the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?s handling of classi?ed information through her use of a private email server. Mr. Strzok personally participated in the interviews of Secretary Clinton, Huma Abedin, Cheryl Mills, Heather Samuelson, and Jake Sullivan.4 Mr. Strzok most recently worked for Special Counsel Robert Mueller.5 Mr. Mueller?s of?ce announced that it removed Mr. Strzok from the investigation after learning of the allegations.6 To understand discovery of these text exchanges, we respectfully request the following information: 1. When and how did OIG become aware of the text messages between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page? The Department of Justice Of?ce of Inspector General released the following statement in response to inquiries today, (2017), visited Dec 5, 2017). 2 Michael S. Schmidt, Matt Apuzzo and Adam Goldman, Mueller Removed Top Agent in Russia Inquiry Over Possible Anti-Trump Texts, NY. TIMES, Dec. 2, 2017, 3 Karoun Demirjian and Devlin Barret, Top FBI o?icial assigned to Mueller ?5 Russia probe said to have been removed after sending anti-Trump texts, WASH. POST, Dec. 2, 2017, lc-d707?l le7?a986- d0a9770d9a3e story.html?utm term==.93899dad030d 4 Fed. Bureau of Investigation, 3023 of Clinton Investigation (2015-16) (on ?le with Comm). 5 Michael S. Schmidt, Matt Apuzzo and Adam Goldman, Mueller Removed Top Agent in Russia Inquiry Over Possible Anti?Trump Texts, NY. TIMES, Dec. 2, 2017 6 Id. The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz December 6, 2017 Page 2 2. When and how did 01G notify the Special Counsel Robert Mueller of the text messages? 3. Did OIG refer these allegations to the US. Of?ce of Special Counsel to pursue a potential Hatch Act inquiry? If not, why not? 4. In connection with the review of the actions of and the FBI in advance of the 2016 presidential election, has the OIG received any similar allegations involving other government of?cials? Please respond as soon as possible but no later than 5:00 pm. on December, 13, 2017, so that the Committees may begin to receive responsive information. The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized by Rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to investigate ?the ef?ciency, economy, and effectiveness of all agencies and departments of the Government.?7 Additionally, S. Res. 62 (115th Congress) authorizes the Committee to examine ?the ef?ciency and economy of all branches and functions of Government with particular references to the operations and management of Federal regulatory policies and programs.?8 If you have any questions about this request, please ask your staff to contact Brian Downey of Chairman Johnson?s staff at (202) 224?475 1 or Josh of Chairman Grassley?s staff at (202) 224-5225. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Charles E. Grassley Chairman Committee on the Judiciary Sincerely, Governn ntal Affairs cc: The Honorable Claire McCaskill Ranking Member Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs The Honorable Dianne einstein Ranking Member Committee on the Judiciary 7 3. Rule xxvao; see also 3. Res. 445, 108th Cong. (2004). 8 s. Res. 62 12, 115th Cong. (2017).