In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through Washington, the FBI has launched criminal investigations into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey, according to multiple reports. The probes, which center on alleged wrongdoing tied to the controversial Trump-Russia investigation of 2016, have thrust the two high-profile figures back into the spotlight. Sources from the Department of Justice revealed that CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred evidence of Brennan’s potential misconduct to FBI Director Kash Patel for possible prosecution, sparking intense speculation about the scope and implications of these investigations.
The allegations against Brennan reportedly stem from his role in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, which concluded that Russia sought to influence the 2016 presidential election in favor of then-candidate Donald Trump. A recently declassified CIA review, initiated by Ratcliffe, criticized the assessment for “procedural anomalies” and deviations from intelligence standards, particularly regarding the inclusion of the controversial Steele dossier. Sources suggest that Brennan’s alleged false statements to Congress about the dossier’s role in the assessment are a key focus of the investigation, though the full extent of the probe remains unclear. A declassified email from a former deputy CIA director warned Brennan in 2016 that including the dossier could undermine the assessment’s credibility, a caution that was apparently ignored.
As for Comey, the specifics of his investigation are less clear. DOJ sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that a probe into the former FBI director is underway, with some describing the interactions between Brennan and Comey as a potential “conspiracy” related to the Trump-Russia probe. This vague but provocative characterization has fueled public interest, though no concrete details have emerged about the nature of Comey’s alleged misconduct. Both men, who served under President Barack Obama, have long been targets of criticism from Trump and his supporters for their roles in the 2016 election investigations.
FBI Director Kash Patel, a staunch Trump ally, has drawn significant attention for his response to the referrals. While Patel has not publicly detailed his actions, sources indicate that the FBI has formally opened an investigation into Brennan, signaling a serious escalation. Patel’s involvement has sparked debate, with some viewing it as a step toward accountability and others, including Brennan himself, decrying it as politically motivated. In a statement to NBC News, Brennan called the probe a “sad and tragic example of the continued politicization of the intelligence community,” denying any contact from the Justice Department or CIA about the investigation.
The timing of these probes coincides with heightened scrutiny of Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi over their handling of unrelated matters, such as the Jeffrey Epstein case, adding to the political firestorm. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiment, with some users praising Patel’s pursuit of justice and others dismissing the investigations as retribution against Trump’s critics. As the investigations unfold, they promise to reignite debates about the 2016 election, the role of intelligence agencies, and the boundaries of political accountability in a deeply divided nation.
