Key Points:
- Former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey are under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice, following referrals from current CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
- Investigations focus on alleged false statements to Congress and possible misconduct in connection with the 2016 Trump-Russia probe, including the handling and inclusion of the Steele dossier in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA).
- President Donald Trump has publicly called Comey and Brennan “crooked as hell” and “very dishonest people,” suggesting they may “have to pay a price” for their actions.
- Brennan and Comey have denied wrongdoing, with Brennan labeling the investigation “clearly politically motivated” and a “tragic illustration of the ongoing politicization” of national security.
- The Department of Justice and FBI have declined to comment on the specifics or progress of the investigations.
- The investigations follow a declassified review by Ratcliffe, which accused Brennan and Comey of manipulating intelligence and silencing career officers to target Trump.
- Republican lawmakers and Trump allies have celebrated the probes, while critics warn of the politicization of law enforcement.
- The scope and potential charges remain unclear, with legal experts noting possible issues with statutes of limitations for alleged offenses.
- The probes are part of a broader pattern of federal investigations into critics and political opponents of Trump since his return to office.
- Comey and Brennan have not been contacted by law enforcement as of the latest reports.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between President Donald Trump and the intelligence officials who oversaw investigations into his 2016 campaign, the Department of Justice has launched criminal investigations into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. The probes, confirmed by multiple media outlets, center on allegations of false statements to Congress and potential misconduct during the Trump and Russia inquiry.
What Are the Criminal Investigations Into Brennan and Comey About?
As reported by Fox News Digital, citing Department of Justice sources, the FBI is investigating both John Brennan and James Comey for possible wrongdoing related to the Trump–Russia probe, including allegedly making false statements to Congress. The referral for investigation originated from current CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who last week released a declassified “lessons learned” review of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). That assessment concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump, but Ratcliffe’s review found the process was rushed and deviated from intelligence standards.
According to CNN’s Jeremy Herb and Zachary Cohen, the review criticized the leadership of the agencies for expediting the process and contended that Brennan “risked stifling analytic debate” by suggesting agency heads had reached agreement before the ICA was fully coordinated. The review did not contest the intelligence community’s main conclusion that Putin favored Trump, but it did allege procedural irregularities.
The full scope of the criminal investigations remains unclear. Fox News Digital reported that DOJ sources described the FBI’s view of Brennan and Comey’s interactions as a “conspiracy,” potentially opening a wide range of prosecutorial options. However, DOJ officials have declined to provide further details or comment on the progress of the probes.
Why Are Trump Officials Pursuing These Investigations Now?
As reported by Anadolu Agency, the move to investigate Brennan and Comey follows years of public criticism by Donald Trump, who has repeatedly labeled the Russia investigation a “hoax” and accused intelligence officials of targeting him for political reasons. At a White House event with African leaders on Wednesday, Trump told reporters,
“I think they’re crooked as hell and maybe they have to pay a price for that. I believe they are truly bad people and dishonest people, so whatever happens, happens”.
The investigations come amid a broader push by Trump and his allies to pursue accountability for officials involved in the Russia probe. According to Spectrum News, Trump has previously sought Comey’s prosecution and, upon returning to office, directed his administration to strip Brennan of his security clearance for alleged political coordination with the Biden campaign. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News,
“I’m glad to hear it because both of these disgraceful individuals turned against our Constitution and our country, and I’m sure they did in fact lie to Congress, and it’s up to the Department of Justice to investigate that and to prosecute them if they did”.
What Do Brennan and Comey Say About the Investigations?
In an interview with MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace, John Brennan stated that he had not been approached by law enforcement regarding the probe. He characterized the investigation as “clearly politically motivated,” saying,
“This is, regrettably, a very unfortunate and tragic illustration of the ongoing politicization of the intelligence community and the national security framework. Frankly, I am quite astonished that individuals are prepared to jeopardize their reputations, credibility, and integrity”.
James Comey, who has become a frequent cable news commentator since his dismissal as FBI director in 2017, has not issued a public response as of the latest reports. Representatives for both Brennan and Comey have declined to comment on the matter to several news organizations.
What Are the Specific Allegations Against Brennan and Comey?
As detailed by Fox News Digital, the investigation into Brennan focuses on whether he misled Congress regarding the inclusion of the Steele dossier in the 2017 ICA. While Brennan testified in May 2023 that he did not believe the dossier should be included, declassified records indicate he pushed for its inclusion in a December 2016 assessment. The dossier, commissioned by Fusion GPS and funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the DNC, has been widely discredited.
The investigation into Comey is also tied to the Russia inquiry. According to the New York Post’s Steven Nelson and Caitlin Doornbos, Republicans have accused Comey of providing false testimony under oath to lawmakers in 2017 and again in 2020, though it remains unclear what statements are at issue. Legal experts note that charges of lying to Congress must generally be prosecuted within five years, raising questions about the viability of any potential case.
How Have Trump and His Allies Responded?
President Trump has celebrated the investigations, telling Fox News reporter Peter Doocy,
“I think they’re very dishonest people. They’re crooked as hell, and maybe they have to pay a price for that”.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., shared a Breitbart article suggesting Brennan could be charged with perjury, and current CIA Director Ratcliffe reposted the message from his official government account.
Republican lawmakers have also cheered the probes. New York Rep. Elise Stefanik described Comey’s “illegal conduct” as “still among the biggest political scandals and coverups in history,” while Florida Sen. Ashley Moody referred to Comey and Brennan as “termites” who needed to be “fumigated” from government institutions.
What Is the Broader Context of These Investigations?
As reported by NBC News, the probes into Brennan and Comey are the latest in a series of federal investigations targeting critics and political opponents of Trump since his return to office. The investigations have sparked warnings from legal experts and former officials about the dangers of politicizing law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The Washington Post noted that the Justice Department has not commented on the specifics of the investigations, and it is unclear whether the FBI probe has moved beyond a preliminary stage. The CIA and FBI have declined to provide further information, and neither Brennan nor Comey has been contacted by law enforcement as of the latest reports.
What Are the Legal and Political Implications?
According to the New York Post, if the investigation into Comey focuses on accusations of lying to Congress, prosecutors may face challenges related to statutes of limitations, as such crimes must typically be prosecuted within five years unless a complex legal theory extends the timeframe. The full scope of the criminal investigations remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether any charges will ultimately be filed.
Legal analysts and critics of the Trump administration warn that the probes risk further eroding the traditional separation between the White House and the Justice Department, a norm established after the Watergate scandal to prevent political interference in federal law enforcement.
How Has the Media Covered the Story?
Coverage of the investigations has been extensive and varied across major news outlets:
- Fox News Digital broke the story of the criminal investigations and provided details on the referrals from CIA Director Ratcliffe.
- CNN and The New York Times corroborated the existence of the investigations and reported on the criticisms of the 2017 ICA and the handling of the Steele dossier.
- Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency highlighted Trump’s public statements and the political context of the probes.
- Spectrum News and NBC News emphasized the broader pattern of investigations into Trump’s critics and the reactions of Republican lawmakers.
- MSNBC featured Brennan’s first public comments and provided analysis of the politicization concerns.
- The New York Post and Yahoo News reported on the legal complexities and the history of Trump’s animosity toward Brennan and Comey.
What Happens Next?
As of now, the Department of Justice has not announced any charges against Brennan or Comey, and the investigations appear to be in the early stages. Both men continue to deny wrongdoing, and their supporters argue that the probes are politically motivated efforts to punish Trump’s critics.
The investigations are likely to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the politicization of law enforcement and the legacy of the Trump-Russia inquiry. Observers will be watching closely for any further developments, official statements, or legal actions in the coming weeks.