FBI Opens Criminal Probes Into James Comey and John Brennan Over Russian Collusion Investigation

In a major development that has captured the attention of the political world, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has officially launched criminal investigations into former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan.

The probe focuses on potential criminal wrongdoing related to the highly controversial "Russian collusion" investigation, which plagued former President Donald Trump’s first term.

According to reports from multiple Department of Justice (DOJ) sources, the investigation centers on accusations of making false statements to Congress, with potential consequences for the two prominent figures at the heart of the inquiry.

The investigations come at a time when the consequences of the Russia probe are still reverberating across Washington, and the allegations surrounding the origins of the investigation are under renewed scrutiny.

The criminal probes, which have been confirmed by sources close to the investigation, are a direct result of a referral made by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who had previously referred Brennan to FBI Director Kash Patel for potential prosecution. The referral led Patel to open the investigation, though DOJ sources have declined to offer further details on the scope of the probe.

Both Comey and Brennan have refused to comment on the allegations or the investigations when asked by Fox News. At present, the full extent of the investigation remains unclear, and it is unknown whether the probe will extend beyond the claims of false statements to Congress.

However, sources familiar with the investigation have suggested that the actions of both Comey and Brennan could potentially lead to charges of conspiracy, opening the door for further inquiries and additional charges.

The investigation into the two men, who were central figures in the creation and continuation of the Russian collusion probe, represents a dramatic shift in the ongoing battle over the legitimacy of the investigation and its origins.

Comey and Brennan’s roles in the probe have long been criticized by Republicans and conservative pundits, who have argued that the investigation was politically motivated and based on unreliable evidence. Now, with criminal investigations underway, those accusations are gaining new significance.

One of the key elements of the investigation revolves around the infamous Steele dossier, a collection of unverified claims about Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Russia.

The dossier, which was funded by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, was used as the basis for the initial investigation into the Trump campaign’s potential ties to the Russian government.

The dossier’s claims have been thoroughly discredited over time, but its inclusion in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) of 2017 has remained a central point of contention.

The assessment, which alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, relied heavily on the dossier, despite its lack of credibility and the numerous flaws within it.

The decision to include the dossier in the ICA has been widely criticized, particularly after it was revealed that Brennan had been a key proponent of its inclusion in the report.

A recent declassification of a review of the ICA by CIA officials revealed significant procedural flaws in the process behind its creation. The review concluded that the decision to include the Steele dossier in the intelligence assessment was rushed and deviated from established intelligence standards.

Moreover, the review specifically highlighted Brennan’s role in pushing for the inclusion of the dossier, despite significant concerns raised by CIA analysts and operatives about the dossier’s validity.

John Brennan, the former CIA Director, has long been a central figure in the ongoing debate over the origins of the Russia investigation. As part of his role in overseeing the CIA during the investigation, Brennan was responsible for the final approval of the ICA.

According to the declassified report, Brennan played a significant role in advocating for the inclusion of the Steele dossier in the report, despite warnings from several CIA officials about the dossier’s lack of credibility.

The declassified review revealed that Brennan had been informed by the CIA’s top analysts that including the dossier could threaten the credibility of the entire ICA.

These concerns were raised by senior officials, including one with extensive operational experience and another with a strong analytic background. Both individuals argued that the dossier’s inclusion would undermine the integrity of the intelligence report.

However, despite these objections, Brennan ultimately chose to prioritize the “narrative consistency” of the dossier’s claims over the analytical soundness of the intelligence.

The review also disclosed that Brennan had formalized his position in writing, stating that he believed the information in the dossier warranted inclusion in the report.

However, Brennan’s testimony before Congress in May 2023 painted a different picture, with the former CIA Director denying that the dossier had been a critical component of the ICA.

He testified that the CIA had been opposed to including any reference to the Steele dossier in the report, a claim that directly contradicted the findings of the CIA’s internal review.

The criminal investigation into Comey and Brennan primarily centers on the issue of false statements made to Congress. Both men were key witnesses in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and their testimony has come under scrutiny in light of new evidence suggesting that they may have misled lawmakers during their testimony.

The false statements portion of the investigation is based on a declassified email from December 2016, which was sent to Brennan by the former deputy CIA director.

The email warned that including the Steele dossier in the ICA could jeopardize the credibility of the entire report. Despite these concerns, Brennan proceeded with the inclusion of the dossier in the assessment.

The CIA review notes that Brennan’s preference for maintaining a consistent narrative over the accuracy of the intelligence led to significant procedural anomalies in the creation of the ICA.

The new evidence has prompted CIA Director Ratcliffe to refer Brennan for prosecution, a decision that has added fuel to the fire of the ongoing debate over the Russia investigation.

Ratcliffe’s referral suggests that Brennan’s actions may have violated the public’s trust, and some sources close to the investigation have indicated that the former CIA Director should be held accountable for his role in the controversy.

The criminal investigations into James Comey and John Brennan mark a significant escalation in the ongoing legal and political fallout from the Russian collusion investigation.

Both men have long been figures of controversy in conservative circles, and the new developments suggest that they may soon face serious legal consequences for their roles in the investigation.

For many Republicans, the investigations represent a long-awaited reckoning for those responsible for what they perceive as a politically motivated witch hunt against President Trump.

The Russian collusion investigation, which was initially launched by the FBI in 2016, was seen by many conservatives as a baseless and partisan attempt to undermine the legitimacy of Trump’s presidency.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, which concluded in 2019, found no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government, but the damage had already been done.

The investigation led to years of political turmoil, with Trump and his allies repeatedly claiming that they were the victims of a deep state conspiracy.

The possibility of criminal charges against Comey and Brennan is likely to further fuel the partisan divide over the Russia investigation. For Democrats and their allies, the investigations represent a dangerous escalation in the politicization of the legal system.

Critics of the Trump administration’s approach to the Russia investigation argue that these criminal probes are a continuation of the president’s efforts to undermine and delegitimize any institution that challenges him.

As the FBI criminal investigations into Comey and Brennan move forward, it remains unclear what the next steps will be. The scope of the investigation is still evolving, and it is possible that new evidence could emerge that further implicates the two former officials.

The investigations could lead to formal charges, or they could ultimately be dropped, depending on the findings of the FBI and the Department of Justice.

The outcome of these investigations will have significant implications for both the individuals involved and the broader political landscape. If criminal charges are brought against Comey and Brennan, it could fuel the ongoing partisan battles over the Russia investigation and further undermine public confidence in U.S. intelligence agencies.

On the other hand, if the investigations fail to produce charges, it could further embolden Trump’s critics and deepen the divide between the administration and its opponents.

The FBI’s criminal investigations into former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan represent a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga of the Russian collusion investigation.

The potential legal consequences for both men are significant, and the investigations are likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

As the political and legal battles continue to unfold, it remains to be seen what impact these investigations will have on the ongoing debate over the legitimacy of the Russia probe and its long-lasting effects on U.S. politics.