DOJ Perjury Probe of Ex‑CIA Director Brennan Intensifies, Jordan Says
Rep. Jim Jordan, R‑Ohio, says the Justice Department’s criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan is “heating up,” citing new DOJ requests for congressional testimony records as evidence that the probe is gaining momentum. Speaking Wednesday on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Jordan tied the inquiry to his October criminal referral alleging Brennan lied in 2023 House Judiciary testimony by denying that the CIA used the Steele dossier in preparing the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian election interference and by claiming the agency opposed including it. According to the Associated Press, Brennan’s lawyers say DOJ has informed them Brennan is a target of the investigation, though they argue they have not been given any “legally justifiable basis” for the case. Jordan alleges Brennan pushed to change late‑2016 intelligence conclusions about Trump–Russia collusion and says DOJ has now sought transcripts from the House Intelligence Committee, while Brennan and former DNI James Clapper have publicly called accusations that they promoted a contrived pro‑Trump‑Russia narrative “patently false.” The clash keeps the long‑running fight over the origins and integrity of the Trump‑Russia probe alive and raises the stakes for how aggressively the Trump‑era Justice Department will pursue potential perjury or misconduct charges against senior former intelligence officials.
📌 Key Facts
- House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan says a DOJ probe of former CIA Director John Brennan is “heating up” and “getting serious.”
- Jordan’s October criminal referral accuses Brennan of lying about the CIA’s use and stance on the Steele dossier in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment.
- Brennan’s lawyers say DOJ has told them he is a target of the investigation but has not provided what they view as a legally adequate basis for it.
- DOJ has requested testimony records and transcripts from the House Intelligence Committee related to Brennan’s prior appearances.
📊 Relevant Data
The Durham report concluded that the FBI's decision to open the Crossfire Hurricane investigation was based on raw, uncorroborated information from the Steele dossier, and that the FBI failed to adequately examine or possess evidence supporting the allegations before initiating the probe.
Report on Matters Related to Intelligence Activities and Investigations Arising Out of the 2016 Presidential Campaigns — U.S. Department of Justice
The 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump, but the Durham report noted that intelligence agencies had internal disagreements, with the CIA pushing for stronger language on Russian intentions despite limited evidence.
Report on Matters Related to Intelligence Activities and Investigations Arising Out of the 2016 Presidential Campaigns — U.S. Department of Justice
John Brennan testified that the CIA did not rely on the Steele dossier for the ICA, but the Durham report revealed that portions of the dossier were referenced in CIA analyses, and Brennan was briefed on intelligence suggesting Russian disinformation efforts targeting the Clinton campaign.
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