DOJ seeks to prevent Trump’s deposition in Strzok lawsuit.

The Department of Justice Seeks to Block Trump’s Deposition in Lawsuit

The Department of Justice is making a bold move to prevent former President Donald Trump from being deposed in a lawsuit filed by former FBI agents who were fired during his administration. In a recent filing, DOJ officials argued that Trump’s deposition is unnecessary due to the deposition of FBI Director Christopher Wray and other compelling “new evidence.”

“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 took place last week, was repeatedly referenced in the filing, although it was redacted. The DOJ firmly stated that any possibility of wiggle room in getting Trump deposed has now vanished.

Judge Rules in Favor of DOJ’s Request

Judge Amy Berman Jackson has ruled in favor of the DOJ’s request to delay Trump’s deposition until after Wray’s deposition. She concluded that having the former president testify first would violate the established precedent that federal officials are questioned in order of seniority.

Although Jackson had previously ruled in February that both Trump and Wray could be deposed in the lawsuit, the DOJ is still fighting against Trump’s deposition in the ongoing legal battle.

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The Lawsuit and its Background

The lawsuit was initiated in 2019 by former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page 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 exchanged between the two during the investigation revealed their anti-Trump sentiments.

Strzok argues that his termination was politically motivated and seeks to be reinstated at the bureau while also claiming damages. Page alleges that her privacy rights were violated when the text messages were exposed and is also seeking damages.

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