Ex-DOJ Official's Role, Settlements Spark Controversy

Brian Netter, who served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice under President Biden, approved $2 million in taxpayer-funded settlements to former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page after they sued the DOJ for privacy violations related to the release of anti-Trump texts. Strzok was awarded $1.2 million and Page $800,000 following their lawsuits. Netter now serves as legal director for Democracy Forward, a Democrat-affiliated group known for litigating against former President Trump and Republican policies. Democracy Forward is chaired by Marc Elias, an attorney linked to the Clinton campaign and the Steele dossier, and features board members with ties to prominent Democrats. The settlements and Netter’s new role have sparked criticism about partisan influence and legal strategies targeting political opponents. The controversy adds to ongoing debates regarding the politicization of federal agencies and the impact of the Russia investigation.