Over a year after it became known that the lead FBI agent on Robert Mueller’s never-ending investigation was removed because he had sent anti-Trump and legally troubling text messages to his lover, former deputy assistant FBI director for counterintelligence Peter Strzok has been fired.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has fired agent Peter Strzok, whose anti-Donald Trump text messages prompted sharp criticism over his handling of two politically charged investigations.

His attorney, Aitan Goelman, said Mr. Strzok was fired Friday. The FBI didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

His attorney says Strzok is just a goat being scaped:

According to Strzok’s lawyer, Aitan Goelman, an internal disciplinary review had recommended Strzok’s demotion and a 60-day suspension. But Goelman said Monday that the deputy director of the FBI overruled that determination and decided to fire him.

“The decision to fire Special Agent Strzok is not only a departure from typical Bureau practice, but also contradicts Director Wray’s testimony to Congress and his assurances that the FBI intended to follow its regular process in this and all personnel matters,” Goelman said.

Apparently, Strzok was not given the “different spanks for different ranks” treatment and was treated just like an ordinary FBI agent.

This is not a huge shock. Strzok was being investigated by the FBI IG and presumably the Office of Professional Responsibility. His text messages are suggestive of an effort within the FBI to prevent Trump from being elected and, failing that, to either hamstring or remove him from office. It was impossible to see how he would be able to continue in the FBI in a senior position. His presence exacerbated the strained relationship between Trump and some key Congressional chairmen on one hand and the FBI and Justice bureaucracy on the other.

“Seems like the Department of Justice (and FBI) had a program to keep Donald Trump from becoming President”. @DarrellIssa @foxandfriends If this had happened to the other side, everybody involved would be in jail. This is a Media coverup of the biggest story of our time.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2018

And now Trump is dancing on his grave:

Agent Peter Strzok was just fired from the FBI – finally. The list of bad players in the FBI & DOJ gets longer & longer. Based on the fact that Strzok was in charge of the Witch Hunt, will it be dropped? It is a total Hoax. No Collusion, No Obstruction – I just fight back!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018

Just fired Agent Strzok, formerly of the FBI, was in charge of the Crooked Hillary Clinton sham investigation. It was a total fraud on the American public and should be properly redone!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018

In fact, the announcement (h/t to colleague Brad Slager for this observation) of Strzok’s firing seems calculated as a peace offering of a type. In most circumstances, his firing would have been announced in a Friday evening document dump and it would have been entirely lost as the media held its breath over 30-40 neo-Nazis demonstrating in Washington. The fact that it was released just now indicates the FBI wanted the firing to be a major item.

Personally, I think his creepy faces were grounds for firing:

https://youtu.be/wEIx9EAcMl8

Hopefully, this is a sign that FBI Director Wray as well as Jeff Sessions have belatedly realized the damage that has been done to the FBI’s reputation by the actions of Comey, McCabe, and their catchfarts. With a little bit of luck more will follow.

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