A startling report released Wednesday by the Office of the Inspector General left many wondering if perhaps it’s time to investigate special counsel Robert Mueller.

According to the report, someone within Mueller’s office reset the government-issued phones of disgraced former FBI special agent Peter Strzok and disgraced former FBI attorney Lisa Page after they were booted from his investigation into Russian collusion last year.

DOJ OIG releases report of investigation describing the recovery of text messages from certain FBI mobile devices https://t.co/CqkVpvwrmo pic.twitter.com/i55upCXk4B — Justice OIG (@JusticeOIG) December 13, 2018

This matters because both prior to them joining the special counsel’s team and during their time handling the investigation into then-GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, the duo exchanged text messages that referenced an “insurance policy” against Trump’s election.

The exact meaning of this “insurance policy” remains unclear because thousands of the romantically involved duo’s text messages disappeared once word of their anti-Trump animus went public.

Mueller reportedly booted the duo after learning of their text messages.

The report notes that following Strzok and Page’s departure from the Special Counsel’s Office, Mueller’s staff reset their phones and then issued them to new owners.

Peter Strzok was removed from the Mueller probe BECAUSE of his inappropriate and politically biased texts. Now Mueller is saying that they weren't an issue and that's why his people deleted all of his messages before OIG could see them. Not buying it.https://t.co/izIG6nUBqF — Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) December 13, 2018

Regarding Strzok’s phone in particular, the report reads, “[T]his iPhone had been reset to factory settings and was reconfigured for the new user to whom the device was issued. It did not contain data related to Strzok’s use of the device.”

TRENDING: Tucker spotlights predictable hypocrisy over Mika’s ‘butt-boy’ slur: Only leftists enjoy ‘impunity’ for what they say

More notable is the discovery that a member of Mueller’s team reset the disgraced former agent’s phone after reviewing it and reportedly “determin[ing] it contained no substantive text messages.”

This may explain why the OIG has been unable to locate any text messages from Dec. 13, 2016, to May 17, 2017, the day that Mueller was appointed special counsel.

Strzok was a senior agent in the FBI National Security Branch who was fired for wrong doing, due to his text messages, and criminally reffered by the DOJ OIG. His phones should have been sealed in evidence bags and locked up tight.#Mueller wiped them clean. Unreal. https://t.co/SQcYRUfsGd — John Cardillo (@johncardillo) December 13, 2018

This discovery contradicts the FBI’s original claim. When the OIG first realized that five months of messages were missing, the bureau reportedly blamed the discrepancy on an alleged technical glitch that affected the phones’ message retention system.

The OIG’s report seemingly disproves this claim, though it stops short of explicitly noting so. What remains unclear is whether the FBI had merely been mistaken or had purposefully lied.

Even more troubling to many — particularly on social media — is the timing aspect. Because the messages reappeared the day Mueller was assigned, some wonder if his very assignment had been part of Strzok and Page’s “insurance policy” against the president.

Trump’s agenda has been stymied in part because of the special counsel’s relentless attacks on him, his family and his current and former associates.

Look at social media’s reaction below:

Mueller was brought in to be the fixer and clear out any evidence of wrongdoing by Obama and clinton including all the uranium 1 players. Sessions screwed us all by stepping aside and letting the foxes run the chicken house with his Blessing. — Robin Mullins (@robin012009) December 13, 2018

He was removed due to his texts and then the SCO is going to turn around and tell us his phone contained nothing of value. Please. — DeepStater (@StaterDeep) December 13, 2018

Isn’t that destroying evidence? — Marie (@mommags2579) December 13, 2018

How the hell can our government operate like this in plain site? It is OBVIOUS they are covering for Clinton and trying to destroy Trump. Will no one take this on and fight back? What can we do? So many Americans are in the false illusion the MSM pumps out. It’s so disheartening. — ℝ????? ?. ℂ???????-??????? (@raeraefire) December 13, 2018

Wouldn’t that be called obstruction of justice. Mueller needs to be investigated and thrown in jail for his misbehavior, sedition and treasonous acts against this nation and the citizens. — Proud American for Trump (@USAFirst55) December 13, 2018

Ah shit! If there was “NOTHING” to hide then why not just leave them in first place? Why were the phones scrubbed? BECAUSE THERE WAS PLENTY TO HIDE. — ?????? KimPossible!? (@KMVLizotte) December 13, 2018

Prosecutorial misconduct and evidence destruction? On top of his role un U1. Mueller is more likely to face prison than Trump. — RightWinger ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@eRtwngr) December 13, 2018

Regarding Page’s phone, the OIG only just obtained it three months ago. Prior to September the SCO claimed it was unable to find it. When the office finally located the phone, it discovered that it too had been reset, though it claimed to not know by whom.

To many on social media, this too seems awfully suspicious and even suggestive of something sinister.

Look:

Hmm. Mueller’s Office reset Strzok’s iPhone and at first couldn’t locate Page’s iPhone. When they found it, that too had been reset. SCO scrubbed Strzok’s phone after he was fired because it didn’t contain any “substantive texts, notes or reminders.” Lol. https://t.co/ut5Zn6Pq0L — Julie Kelly (@julie_kelly2) December 13, 2018

Sounds like destroying evidence to me!!! — Derek Straub ?? (@straubderek) December 13, 2018

Of course they did, Mueller has a history of cover ups. He allowed 4 innocent men to take the fall for Whitey Bulger in Boston, while Bulger disappeared to Florida. Bulger was a hired hitman for the Mob. — Leader (@USSecretSociety) December 13, 2018

Isn’t that what you call evidence tampering? A law enforcement official tampering, doesn’t set well. Some one got to put an end to all this BS no one is going to corporate with law enforcement because of miss trust. — SnowBear (@SnowBea70721755) December 13, 2018

It remains unclear whether Mueller himself played any role in the phones being reset.

TRENDING: Trump’s approval rating easily tops Obama at same point in presidency – despite relentless assaults