Political Firestorm Ignites Around DOJ Investigations Into Former Intel Chiefs Brennan and Comey
In a surprising development this week, former CIA Director John Brennan made his first public comments about the ongoing Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations reportedly targeting him and ex-FBI Director James Comey. Brennan, speaking candidly on MSNBC Wednesday, said he “knows nothing” about these probes beyond media leaks and dismissed them as politically charged attacks rather than genuine inquiries.
What’s the Deal With These Investigations?
According to Fox News, which broke the story citing unnamed sources, the DOJ is looking into Brennan and Comey over alleged misconduct connected to their handling of the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. While the Justice Department confirmed the existence of investigations, they declined to elaborate further, leaving much of the details shrouded in secrecy.
Brennan expressed frustration over how the information leaked, saying, “These leaks, which are not really supposed to happen if there is an investigation going on, have made this all public.” He further noted that no one from the DOJ, FBI, or CIA had contacted him directly about the matter, suggesting the investigation might be more of a political show than a legitimate probe.
Brennan Calls Out “Politicization” of Intelligence
One of the more striking parts of Brennan’s interview was his sharp critique of the political environment surrounding the investigation. He called it “a very sad and tragic example of the continued politicization of the intelligence community and the national security process.” In his view, the probe appears designed more to serve political agendas than to uncover any real wrongdoing.
This comes at a time when national security and intelligence agencies have faced intense scrutiny and pushback, particularly from certain factions supportive of former President Donald Trump. The investigation’s timing also aligns with recent controversies surrounding conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein’s death—specifically the debunking of allegations against Epstein’s alleged clientele, which further stirred the political pot.
The Backstory: Brennan and Comey in the Russia Investigation
To understand why Brennan and Comey are under the microscope, it’s helpful to revisit their roles in the 2016 election interference saga. Brennan was CIA Director when U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had orchestrated a campaign to influence the election in favor of Trump over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. This campaign primarily involved disinformation and hacking efforts designed to sway public opinion online.
These findings were later confirmed by a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report released in August 2018. The committee, chaired by Marco Rubio (now Trump’s Secretary of State), found clear evidence of Russian interference but did not conclude there was a coordinated conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Special Counsel John Durham also conducted a lengthy review during Trump’s presidency into the actions of Brennan and Comey related to the handling of this intelligence. His investigation ultimately found no criminal wrongdoing by either man, clearing them legally—though political attacks persisted.
Trump’s Take: Denies Knowledge but Throws Shade
When asked about these new investigations on Wednesday, Donald Trump said he was unaware of them “other than what I read today.” However, he did not hold back on his opinion of Brennan and Comey, calling them “very dishonest people” and “crooked as hell.” Trump suggested they might eventually “have to pay a price” for their past actions but left the outcome open-ended with, “Whatever happens, happens.”
Trump’s consistent criticism of these intelligence officials goes back years, especially targeting their roles in investigating Russian interference and the early stages of the special counsel’s work. His supporters often echo these views, framing Brennan and Comey as villains in what they consider politically motivated investigations against Trump.
Comey’s Silence
Unlike Brennan, James Comey has yet to publicly comment on the investigations. Known for his own turbulent history with Trump and the Russia probe, Comey’s silence adds to the suspense around the situation. His role as FBI Director during the 2016 election investigations, including the controversial handling of Hillary Clinton’s email inquiry, has made him a contentious figure in American politics.
Why Does This Matter Now?
This latest DOJ action occurs amid heightened tensions around trust in federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. After the Epstein case investigations cleared many conspiracy theories, certain political groups have accused the DOJ and FBI of bias and misconduct. Against this backdrop, probes targeting former intelligence chiefs only add fuel to the fire.
Exciting Points to Watch:
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Leaked Investigations: The fact that these probes were leaked to the press before any public announcement raises questions about who benefits from this information and why.
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Political Motives: Brennan’s accusations of politicization highlight a growing divide over the impartiality of U.S. intelligence and justice institutions.
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Trump’s Shadow: Despite denying knowledge, Trump’s harsh words keep the issue front and center in political discourse.
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Legal Outcomes: Past investigations like Durham’s have cleared these men legally — will this new DOJ probe come to the same conclusions, or shake things up?
Wrapping It Up
As of now, this story is still unfolding, and much remains unknown about the scope and intent of the DOJ investigations into Brennan and Comey. What is clear, however, is that this development is yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of political conflict and intrigue surrounding the 2016 election and its aftermath.
In the words of Brennan himself, these investigations may be less about uncovering facts and more about “continuing to weaponize intelligence and law enforcement for political purposes.” Whether justice or politics wins out remains to be seen, but the eyes of the nation will be watching closely.
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