Former FBI agents who sent anti-Trump texts settle with DOJ.

Former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page have reached a settlement with the Justice Department regarding alleged privacy rights violations stemming from the release of their controversial text messages, which were seized upon by former President Trump to question the legitimacy of the Russia investigation while he was in office.

The settlement, which is still pending final approval from a judge, addresses the longstanding legal battle involving Page’s lawsuit against the FBI over the disclosure of her critical text exchanges with Strzok, with whom she was romantically involved. While Page sought $1,000 in damages following the leak of their texts to the media, specific terms of the settlement have not been publicly disclosed.

A possible resolution of Page’s lawsuit was submitted on Tuesday, but Strzok’s separate legal action to seek backpay and reinstatement remains unresolved at this time. The agreement reached between the former officials and the Justice Department marks a significant development in a case that has garnered widespread attention and scrutiny.

Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, both former high-ranking FBI employees, sparked controversy due to their extramarital affair being disclosed alongside their anti-Trump text messages. The revelation of their private communications, which took place on official FBI devices, led to heightened scrutiny of the bureau’s handling of politically sensitive investigations.

In a court filing in 2019, Strzok contended that his expressive messages critical of then-President Trump were constitutionally protected under the First Amendment, notwithstanding the circumstances of their transmission. He argued that public employees like himself should not face disciplinary action for engaging in political speech, particularly in the course of their official duties.

Additionally, Page brought legal action against the FBI and the Department of Justice, alleging that the dissemination of her personal text messages with Strzok constituted a violation of federal privacy laws. In her complaint, Page sought reimbursement for various expenses incurred as a result of the disclosure of her private communications, as well as compensation for legal fees associated with her case.

Strzok’s legal team later asserted that the adverse publicity resulting from the public disclosure of his text messages was primarily attributable to the defendants’ actions, which were compounded by false accusations made by President Trump and his allies. The ongoing legal dispute between the former officials and the government highlighted the complex intersection of personal privacy rights and public accountability.

The controversy surrounding Strzok and Page dates back to their involvement in the initial FBI investigation into potential Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, as well as the subsequent probe into alleged collusion between Russian operatives and individuals affiliated with the Trump campaign. Both officials later played roles in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into these matters.

In 2020, the scandal involving the former FBI officials reached a new level of attention when a dramatic performance titled “FBI Lovebirds: UnderCovers” was staged at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), based on their anti-Trump text messages. This further fueled the political firestorm surrounding Strzok and Page, leading to accusations and counterclaims from all sides.

Despite the complexity and controversy surrounding the legal battles between Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and the Justice Department, the potential resolution of some aspects of their disputes represents a significant step towards closure in a saga that has been closely followed by the public and the media.