FBI launches criminal investigations of John Brennan, James Comey
It's about time!
"CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred Brennan for criminal investigation to the FBI
EXCLUSIVE: Former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey are under criminal investigation for potential wrongdoing related to the Trump–Russia probe, including allegedly making false statements to Congress, Justice Department sources told Fox News Digital.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred evidence of wrongdoing by Brennan to FBI Director Kash Patel for potential prosecution, DOJ sources told Fox News Digital.
The sources said that the referral was received and told Fox News Digital that a criminal investigation into Brennan was opened and is underway. DOJ sources declined to provide further details. It is unclear, at this point, if the investigation spans beyond his alleged false statements to Congress.
As for Comey, DOJ sources told Fox News Digital that an investigation into the former director is underway, but could not share details of what specifically is being probed.
The full scope of the criminal investigations into Brennan and Comey is unclear, but two sources described the FBI's view of the duo's interactions as a "conspiracy," which could open up a wide range of potential prosecutorial options.
The FBI and CIA declined to comment.
Neither Brennan nor Comey immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The Brennan investigation comes after Ratcliffe last week declassified a "lessons learned" review of the creation of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). The 2017 ICA alleged Russia sought to influence the 2016 presidential election to help then-candidate Donald Trump. But the review found that the process of the ICA's creation was rushed with "procedural anomalies," and that officials diverted from intelligence standards.
It also determined that the "decision by agency heads to include the Steele Dossier in the ICA ran counter to fundamental tradecraft principles and ultimately undermined the credibility of a key judgment."
The dossier — an anti-Trump document filled with unverified and wholly inaccurate claims that was commissioned by Fusion GPS and paid for by Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign and the DNC — has been widely discredited. Last week's review marks the first time career CIA officials have acknowledged politicization of the process by which the ICA was written, particularly by Obama-era political appointees.
Records declassified as part of that review further revealed that Brennan did, in fact, push for the dossier to be included in the 2017 ICA.
Brennan testified to the House Judiciary Committee in May 2023, however, that he did not believe the dossier should be included in that intelligence product.
Ratcliffe was not surprised by the review's findings, a source familiar told Fox News Digital, given the director's long history of criticizing Brennan's politicization of intelligence. But Ratcliffe was compelled to refer aspects of Brennan’s involvement to the FBI for review of possible criminality, the source said.
The source was unable to share the sensitive details of Ratcliffe’s criminal referral to the FBI with Fox News Digital, but said that Brennan "violated the public’s trust and should be held accountable for it."
The false statements portion of the probe stems from a newly declassified email sent to Brennan by the former deputy CIA director in December 2016. That message said that including the dossier in the ICA in any capacity jeopardized "the credibility of the entire paper."
"Despite these objections, Brennan showed a preference for narrative consistency over analytical soundness," the new CIA review states. "When confronted with specific flaws in the Dossier by the two mission center leaders – one with extensive operational experience and the other with a strong analytic background – he appeared more swayed by the Dossier's general conformity with existing theories than by legitimate tradecraft concerns."
The review added: "Brennan ultimately formalized his position in writing, stating that ‘my bottomline is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report.’"
But Brennan testified the opposite in front of Congress in May 2023.
"The CIA was very much opposed to having any reference or inclusion of the Steele dossier in the Intelligence Community Assessment," Brennan testified before the House committee, according to the transcript of his deposition reviewed by Fox News Digital. "And so they sent over a copy of the dossier to say that this was going to be separate from the rest of that assessment."
CIA officials at the time of its creation pushed back against the FBI, which sought to include the dossier, arguing that the dossier should not be included in the assessment, and casting it as simply "internet rumor."
Ultimately, Steele’s reporting was not included in the body of the final ICA prepared for then-President Barack Obama, but instead detailed in this footnote, "largely at the insistence of FBI’s senior leadership," according to a review by the Justice Department inspector general, and later, the Senate Intelligence Committee.
But back in June 2020, Ratcliffe, while serving as director of national intelligence, declassified a footnote of the 2017 ICA, which revealed that the reporting of Trump dossier author Christopher Steele had only "limited corroboration" regarding whether then-President-elect Trump "knowingly worked with Russian officials to bolster his chances of beating" Hillary Clinton and other claims.
FLASHBACK: DNI DECLASSIFIES BRENNAN NOTES, CIA MEMO ON HILLARY CLINTON 'STIRRING UP' SCANDAL BETWEEN TRUMP, RUSSIA
The footnote, also known as "Annex A" of the 2017 ICA, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital in June 2020, spanned less than two pages and detailed reporting by Steele, the former British spy who authored the unverified anti-Trump dossier — a document that helped serve as the basis for controversial Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants obtained against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page.
Steele’s reporting, at the time, was commissioned by opposition research firm Fusion GPS and funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) through law firm Perkins Coie.
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz also reviewed the inclusion of Steele’s reporting in the ICA during his review of alleged misconduct related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA.
His report, released in late 2019, found that there were "significant inaccuracies and omissions" in FISA warrants for former Trump campaign aide Page. Those warrants relied heavily on Steele’s reporting, despite the FBI not having had specific information corroborating allegations against Page that were included in Steele’s reporting.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-b … oj-sourcesPlease tell me Comer and Jordan will be heading this up...
It’s about time that former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey are under criminal investigation for their possible misconduct related to the Trump–Russia probe, including allegedly lying to Congress. From what I’ve read, CIA Director John Ratcliffe got the ball rolling by referring Brennan to the FBI after reviewing declassified findings tied to the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment. The FBI then launched a full criminal investigation, and now they're reportedly conducting separate probes into both Brennan and Comey. I’m glad to see it’s the FBI handling this, there’s something fitting about the agency taking responsibility for investigating its own former leadership. I also trust Kash Patel to do a great job with this. He’s proven himself to be sharp, dedicated, and committed to the truth, and I think he’ll make sure these investigations are done right.
So glad to see the FBI handling this--- very smart move. They have teeth, Congress does not. The reason it's better that the FBI is handling this instead of Congress comes down to legal authority and enforcement power.
Congress can conduct investigations and hearings, and they can issue subpoenas, but they don’t have the power to bring criminal charges. The most they can do is refer a matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for possible prosecution, which the DOJ can then choose to ignore, especially if there’s political pressure or lack of hard evidence.
The FBI, on the other hand, is a law enforcement agency with investigative authority under the DOJ. When the FBI conducts a criminal investigation, it builds a case that can lead directly to indictments and charges through the DOJ. Their investigations carry more legal weight, include tools like search warrants and surveillance, and result in actionable outcomes, whereas congressional investigations often just make headlines and recommendations. Yes, about time.Yet we should turn our eyes from the possibility that the president is a pedophile? And what about his crypto scheme? What about the fact that he has enriched himself to the tune of $3 billion since he entered office? All worthy of looking the other way? We all know how folks would be wailing and gnashing their teeth If This were Biden.... But yes, by all means let's fire up comers clown car... Heck bring back Durham while they're at it. We need the comic relief
Shar,
Never before in the history of our country has the intelligence community joined with a person running for president to provide such disinformation to the American people.
President Donald Trump knew he had done nothing wrong. It took time, but those facts came to light.
I'm sure that all the despicable behavior of the democrats in regards to the "Russia-Gate Hoax" will come to light.
I'm ready to be shocked and disgusted.Mike, I completely agree with that statement, and I’ll add my own view, I think they are going down big time. I know I’m out on a limb saying that, but I can’t shake the feeling that Cash Patel has had the goods for some time now. He’s not like James Comer, who often seems content to just air things out, Cash is a guy who likes to win, and you could tell he was champing at the bit to go after these two.
The fact that the intelligence community aligned itself with a presidential candidate to spread blatant disinformation that’s a betrayal of the public trust on a historic level. And President Trump, knowing he had done nothing wrong, stood through the storm until the truth slowly started emerging.
We’ve seen just the tip of the iceberg with the Russia-Gate hoax. I’m ready to be shocked and disgusted, too, but also vindicated. Because once the full scope of what they did is exposed, I think history is going to look very harshly on all of them. Hey, this is my view...
This has to be the biggest "look here not there". It's going to take a lot more than van this investigation to make the majority of us look away from the fact that Bondi told us she had Epstein's list on her desk that has suddenly disappeared.... Along with a full minute of video security footage of Epstein's cell....
Even crazy Alex Jones knows that. LOL
https://x.com/RealAlexJones/status/1943089429251227790
Comey-Brennan Criminal Investigation Announcement Is A TOTAL Distraction From Epstein Case Political Firestorm
But I guess some MAGAs are too deep in Trump's...Maybe Alex Jones doesn't realize the super focus on the Epstein case is a way to distract from the Comey-Brennan Criminal Investigation.
I suppose the left needs to look at a subject from all the angles.And maybe the president is a pedophile, a frequent flyer on the Lolita Express... And some of y'all want to look the other way though. It was important to know if Hunter was profiting from the association with his father but some of you folks want the Epstein matter buried.... Why is Maxwell even in jail???
And maybe the president is a pedophile, a frequent flyer on the Lolita Express
We can "maybe" all day.
There are NO facts.
Just liberal imagination driven by Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).There is just as much reason to investigate Trump as there was to investigate Biden and his son... Remember Comer telling us about the smoke all the time??? LOL always smoke but he could never find the fire ... We've got a whistleblower named Elon Musk stating that Trump was on the list
."We've got a whistleblower named Elon Musk stating that Trump was on the list"
You've got a man who is angry at President Donald Trump because he didn't get what he wanted in a bill that was signed into law. He was very pro-President Donald Trump before this happened.
He has no credibility in this matter.Remember this?
Trump once hosted an exclusive party with Jeffrey Epstein at his Mar-a-Lago estate. It was just the 2 of them and '28 girls'.
Except that the Epstein debacle came first.... So clearly it is the other way around. The comey/brennan nonsense is a look here not there because it's very likely that your president was a frequent flyer on the Lolita Express...
"very likely that your president was a frequent flyer on the Lolita Express"
It's also very likely that this is a big nothing burger like democrats always eat when investigating President Donald Trump.
This topic makes the Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) of the left rise to new and never before seen levels.Here’s what the official records show:
According to flight logs released publicly, Donald Trump flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane seven times between 1993 and 1997
To break it down:
Public data first revealed at least six flights in the 1990s, including May 1994 (with Marla Maples, Tiffany Trump, and a nanny aboard.
Here’s what the official records show:
According to flight logs released publicly, Donald Trump flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane at least seven times between 1993 and 1997
Newsweek
To break it down:
Public data first revealed at least six flights in the 1990s—including May 1994 (with Marla Maples, Tiffany Trump, and a nanny aboard
Donald Trump's Flights on Epstein's Plane – Confirmed: 7
Flight Date Route Notable Details
1 April 11, 1993 Palm Beach → Newark Earliest known flight
2 Nov 3, 1993 West Palm Beach → Teterboro Trump with Marla Maples, Tiffany, and a nanny
3 Jan 5, 1994 Teterboro → Palm Beach Typical NY–FL flight
4 Feb 15, 1994 Palm Beach → Teterboro Possible return leg
5 Mar 19, 1994 Teterboro → Palm Beach NY–FL travel again
6 Apr 1, 1994 Palm Beach → Teterboro Common Trump travel route
7Jan 1997 UnspecifiedSparse documentation
No Flights to "Lolita Express" Destinations: None of Trump’s listed flights show routes to Epstein’s private island or other locations tied to the criminal investigations.Shar,
The left and their leaders run from truth and facts like cockroaches do from light.What they run from are facts. Many seem to derive some kind of pleasure from just accusing Trump of anything. Then, when found wrong, they move on to something else. I mean, what can one say about this kind of mindset?
Shar,
I think one can say that Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is a very real thing.The truth is Trump would have never gotten back in...
If they hadn't gone bat-shit crazy during the Biden Administration... 20%+ inflation as they gave trillions to BlackRock to play with and spent trillions more on who knows what... do we have that National EV recharging infrastructure they promised? ... No?
To men in women's sports, transgenders becoming THE protected minority of the times, to kids being chemically castrated... the list goes on.
I don't think they could have done much more to ensure they didn't win the next election if they wanted to.
When Truth Becomes 'Right-Wing' | Melanie Phillips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7Hf21j3yBA
I think we need to go back to the threads discussing the views on why it was absolutely crucial for Hunter Biden to be investigated and use those reasons to evaluate the necessity of an investigation as to whether Trump is a pedophile....
"I think we need to go back to the threads discussing the views on why it was absolutely crucial for Hunter Biden to be investigated and use those reasons to evaluate the necessity of an investigation as to whether Trump is a pedophile...." willow
I find your comment deeply disturbing and completely out of line. Equating the legitimate concerns surrounding Hunter Biden—backed by whistleblowers, documented financial transactions, and a laptop filled with verified material—with an unfounded, vile accusation that Trump should be investigated to ascertain if he is a pedophile is beyond irresponsible.
You're not making a serious argument; you're throwing out disgusting smears without a shred of evidence to support them.
If you truly cared about justice or accountability, you’d know that accusations of this nature require actual proof, not bitter political projection. The fact that you think this kind of slander is an acceptable form of discourse says far more about your mindset than it does about Trump. If this is the level you’re operating on, then yes, maybe we should revisit those earlier threads, so we can remind ourselves what actual investigative standards and due process look like, not this repugnant attempt to score points by sinking into the gutter. You are saying that Trump should be investigated, even without any evidence that would warrant such an investigation. There is nothing in his past, nor has there been any evidence to point to Trump being a pedophile.
This kind of mindset honestly sickens me, accuse, smear, and then go searching for evidence afterward. It’s something I’ve noticed repeatedly with many Democrats: the willingness to slander anyone, without a shred of proof, just to push a narrative.
It’s sad to see how easily some are willing to jump into the mud and go along with this kind of reckless rhetoricMost of us are calling for an investigation, just like folks called for an investigation into Biden and Hunter.... The smoke is there. We deserve the same transparency that folks asked for under Biden. Again, folks should look back at their previous posts justifying the need for those investigations. Also, Are you saying that Elon is a liar? At this point, I'll consider him as a whistleblower and may certainly pan out to be more than the whistleblowers in the Biden cases that testimony led to nothing.
Remember?
"I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy," Trump booms from a speakerphone. "He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life."
Im sure MAGA wants to know if he knew, right?"Are you saying that Elon is a liar?"
YES!
He is a man who was very close with President Donald Trump until he didn't get the EV mandates in the most recent bill. There were also not the carve outs for big tech that he wanted. Elon thought he was owed and wasn't getting what he deserved.
If he was telling the truth why did he say nothing until a bill got passed by Congress that hurt his companies?
Elon is acting like a child who didn't get what he felt he deserved and is saying things to hurt the grownups.
A shame.
Do you know anything about the Hunter Biden laptop?
Are you familiar with the biden family influence peddling? A president's son getting millions of dollars to influence his father for foreign governments.
I believe that is a FAR more criminal than anything associated with Epstein.
"Since taking the gavel in January, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability has accelerated its investigation of the Biden family’s domestic and international business practices to determine whether the Biden family has been targeted by foreign actors, President Biden is compromised, and our national security is threatened. Records obtained through the Committee’s subpoenas to date reveal that the Bidens and their associates have received over $20 million in payments from foreign entities.
Below is a timeline that details key dates in our investigation.
The main points of interest are:
1) Romania: On September 28, 2015, Vice President Biden welcomed Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to the White House. Within five weeks of this meeting, a Romanian businessman involved with a high-profile corruption prosecution in Romania, Gabriel Popoviciu, began depositing a Biden associate’s bank account, which ultimately made their way into Biden family accounts. Popoviciu made sixteen of the seventeen payments, totaling over $3 million, to the Biden associate account while Joe Biden was Vice President. Biden family accounts ultimately received approximately $1.038 million. The total amount from Romania to the Biden family and their associates is over $3 million.
2) China- CEFC: On March 1, 2017—less than two months after Vice President Joe Biden left public office—State Energy HK Limited, a Chinese company, wired $3 million to a Biden associate’s account. This is the same bank account used in the above “Romania” section. After the Chinese company wired the Biden associate account the $3 million, the Biden family received approximately $1,065,692 over a three-month period in different bank accounts. Additionally, the CEFC Chairman gives Hunter Biden a diamond worth $80,000. Lastly, CEFC creates a joint venture with the Bidens in the summer of 2017. The timeline lays out the “WhatsApp” messages and subsequent wires from the Chinese to the Bidens of $100,000 and $5 million. The total amount from China, specifically with CEFC and their related entities, to the Biden family and their associates is over $8 million.
3) Kazakhstan: On April 22, 2014, Kenes Rakishev, a Kazakhstani oligarch used his Singaporean entity, Novatus Holdings, to wire one of Hunter Biden’s Rosemont Seneca entities $142,300. The very next day—April 23, 2014—the Rosemont Seneca entity transferred the exact same amount of money to a car dealership for a car for Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden and Devon Archer would represent Burisma in Kazakhstan in May/June of 2014 as the company attempted to broker a three-way deal among Burisma, the Kazakhstan government, and a Chinese state-owned energy company.
4) Ukraine: Devon Archer joined the Burisma board of directors in spring of 2014 and was joined by Hunter Biden shortly thereafter. Hunter Biden joined the company as counsel, but after a meeting with Burisma owner Mykola Zlochevsky in Lake Como, Italy, was elevated to the board of directors in the spring of 2014. Both Biden and Archer were each paid $1 million per year for their positions on the board of directors. In December 2015, after a Burisma board of directors meeting, Zlochevsky and Hunter Biden “called D.C.” in the wake of mounting pressures the company was facing. Zlochevsky was later charged with bribing Ukrainian officials with $6 million in an attempt to delay or drop the investigation into his company. The total amount from Ukraine to the Biden family and their associates is $6.5 million.
5) Russia: On February 14, 2014, a Russian oligarch and Russia’s richest woman, Yelena Baturina, wired a Rosemont Seneca entity $3.5 million. On March 11, 2014, the wire was split up: $750,000 was transferred to Devon Archer, and the remainder was sent to Rosemont Seneca Bohai, a company Devon Archer and Hunter Biden split equally. In spring of 2014, Yelena Baturina joined Hunter Biden and Devon Archer to share a meal with then-Vice President Biden at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. The total amount from Russia to the Biden family and their associates is $3.5 million.
Beyond this timeline, here are links to our First, Second, Third, and Fourth Bank Memorandums that provide detailed descriptions and show actual bank records and wires."
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