The Trump administration has initiated criminal investigations involving two high-profile targets: former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. While the specifics of these investigations remain unclear, the Justice Department has confirmed their existence through a statement provided to reporters. This development follows a report by Fox News, which highlighted the ongoing probes into Brennan and Comey, both of whom were previously dismissed by President Donald Trump during his first term.
A spokesperson from the Justice Department stated that they do not comment on ongoing investigations, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the nature and scope of the inquiries into Brennan and Comey. A lawyer representing Comey declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Brennan, who currently serves as a paid contributor for NBC News and MSNBC, mentioned that he has not been contacted by either the Justice Department or the CIA concerning this reported investigation. The FBI also refrained from commenting.
The Fox News article emerged amid significant backlash against FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi from conservative media and influencers regarding their management of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This week, the Justice Department and the FBI issued a memo reiterating previous findings that Epstein, a convicted sex offender, committed suicide in his jail cell in 2019, and emphasized that there was no incriminating evidence against uncharged third parties. Notably, Patel had previously engaged with conspiracy theories about Epstein, while Bondi's mention of an Epstein client list sparked further speculation among conservative circles, which she later clarified was in reference to documents related to Epstein.
Sources indicate that CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a criminal referral regarding Brennan to the Justice Department. The basis for initiating an investigation into Comey remains murky. Last week, Ratcliffe released an internal CIA review that criticized Brennan's management of a 2017 intelligence assessment, which concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed to assist Trump in defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. However, it is important to note that any conduct from that campaign or most of Trump’s first term has surpassed the typical five-year statute of limitations for federal crimes.
The Fox News report also referenced testimony given by Brennan to the House Judiciary Committee in May 2023 concerning the controversial Steele Dossier, which was a significant topic during the 2016 election cycle. Notably, the article did not specify any conduct by Comey within the last five years that would warrant investigation. A special counsel appointed by former Attorney General William Barr previously spent years probing the creation of the 2017 intelligence assessment, compelling numerous CIA officials to seek legal counsel. While this special counsel, John Durham, scrutinized the actions of Brennan, Comey, and their associates regarding the FBI and CIA’s investigations into Russian election interference, he ultimately did not charge either former official with any wrongdoing.
The actions taken by the Trump administration against individuals involved in investigations pertaining to the president and his allies have raised alarms. The Justice Department has established a Weaponization Working Group to examine these investigations, leading to the dismissal of several individuals still employed by the department. Additionally, on his first day in office, Trump granted pardons to his supporters who participated in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, further intensifying the political landscape surrounding these ongoing investigations.
