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Peter Stzok caused to applause to break out during a hearing on his texts sent during the 2016 election when he ripped apart Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) and Trump’s FBI conspiracy theory.

Video:

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Strzok said:

Sir, I think it’s important that you understand the context in which the texts were made. In terms of the texts that we will stop it. You need to understand that that was written late at night, off-the-cuff and it was in response to a sear Aries of events that included then candidate Trump insulting the immigrant family of a fallen war hero, and my presumption based on that horrible disgusting behavior that the American population would not elect someone demonstrating that behavior to be president of the United States. It was in no way unequivocally any suggestion that me, the FBI, would take any action whatsoever to improperly impact the electoral process for any candidate. I take great offense and great disagreement to your assertion to what that was or wasn’t.

As for the 100 million to one that was clearly made in jest. I acknowledge that is actually their right. That is what makes our democracy such a vie grant process it is. But to suggest we can parse down the words of shorthand like they’re a contract for a car is simply not consistent with my or most people’s use of text messaging. I can assure you, Mr. Chairman, at no time in any of these texts did those personal beliefs ever enter into the realm of any action I took. Furthermore, this isn’t just me sitting here telling you. You don’t have to take my word for it.

At every step, at every investigative decision, there are multiple layers of people above me and multiple layers of people below me. Agents and analysts. All of whom were involved in these decisions. They would not tolerate any improper behavior in me any more than I would tolerate it in them. That is who we are as the FBI. The suggestion that I in some dark chamber would somehow cast aside all of these procedures and, and somehow be able to do this, safeguards is astounding. The proposition that is going on and might occur in the FBI deeply corrodes what the FBI is and is deeply destructive.

Strzok’s remarks were applauded in the room.

In case you didn’t hear the applause, here is a version of the video from CBS News:

House hearing erupts with applause after Strzok replies to Rep. Trey Gowdy: "The proposition that that is going on or that it might occur in the FBI deeply corrodes what the FBI is in American society and the effectiveness of their mission. It is deeply destructive," Strzok says pic.twitter.com/W4WX2VG30e — CBS News (@CBSNews) July 12, 2018

This hearing was held for the sole purpose of discrediting the Russia investigation by pushing Trump’s FBI ‘deep state’ conspiracy theory that the FBI is biased and out to get him. The hearing has been a failure. What the hearing has done is expose House Republicans as Trump stooges who are pushing a bogus conspiracy theory.

By trying to turn Peter Strzok into the ultimate villain, Republicans created a new American hero.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.