DOJ attempts to block Trump deposition in former FBI agent Peter Strzok lawsuit
Jack Birle
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The Department of Justice is asking for a district court judge to block former President Donald Trump from being deposed in a lawsuit filed by former FBI agents who were fired during his administration.
In a redacted filing on Wednesday, DOJ officials argued that Trump’s deposition was not necessary because of the deposition of FBI Director Christopher Wray, among other “new evidence.”
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“The new evidence also consists of other sworn testimony from key, high-level government officials with direct knowledge of the former President’s communications (or lack thereof) regarding Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page. The availability of that evidence to Mr. Strzok means the deposition of former President Trump is not appropriate,” the filing said.
Wray’s deposition, which happened last week, was cited throughout the filing but was redacted. The DOJ said that “whatever wiggle room there might have been is now gone,” with relation to getting Trump to be deposed.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled in favor of the DOJ’s request to have Trump’s deposition delayed until after Wray was deposed, concluding that having the former president testify first would violate standing precedent that federal officials are questioned in order of seniority.
Jackson had ruled in February that Trump and Wray could be deposed in the lawsuit, but the DOJ is still fighting not to have Trump deposed in the legal battle.
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The lawsuit was filed by former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page in 2019 after they were fired from their positions while working on the investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Text messages from the two while they were working on the investigation showed them espousing anti-Trump sentiments.
Strzok argued he was terminated for political reasons and is seeking to be reinstated at the bureau and be awarded damages. Page is claiming her privacy rights were violated with the text messages being revealed, while also seeking damages.