The FBI has initiated criminal investigations into John Brennan, the former CIA Director, and James Comey, the former FBI Director, following a referral from the current CIA Director, John Ratcliffe. This development stems from their involvement in the Russian collusion investigation that loomed over the early part of President Trump's tenure.
These investigations coincide with the declassification of an internal tradecraft review of the 2016 election Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) by CIA Director Ratcliffe. The ICA had alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and the review scrutinized the methodologies and analytical standards employed in its formulation.
Adding to the controversy, former CIA officer John Kiriakou recently provided a damning portrayal of Brennan's tenure during an interview on the Patrick Bet David podcast. Kiriakou accused Brennan of vindictiveness against perceived adversaries in the intelligence community, stating, "They make him CIA director, and then he starts just wreaking vengeance on all of his enemies." He described Brennan as "a very bad guy" from the outset of his career.
Drawing from his experience, Kiriakou outlined how Brennan allegedly established a "kill list" that was presented to the White House daily and how he fostered a culture of personal loyalty over professional competence within the CIA. This environment, as per Kiriakou, led to a system where Brennan's loyalists were often promoted over more qualified individuals.
The Mueller investigation, which delved into the alleged Russian collusion with the Trump campaign, concluded with no evidence to support these claims. However, the investigative process had significant implications for Trump's presidency.
The internal CIA tradecraft review uncovered several procedural irregularities in the ICA's creation, raising questions about the adherence to proper intelligence standards. It also revealed internal objections to the inclusion of the controversial Steele Dossier in the assessment, with the deputy CIA director cautioning that it might compromise the report's credibility.
Despite these warnings, Brennan insisted on incorporating the dossier into the final ICA. The review criticized Brennan for favoring "narrative consistency over analytical soundness" and indicated that he was more swayed by the dossier's fit with pre-existing theories than by legitimate intelligence concerns. This stance seems to conflict with Brennan's testimony to Congress in 2023, as reported by Trending Politics, highlighting discrepancies in his decision-making process.
The revelations from Kiriakou's testimony and the declassified review shed light on the potential politicization and favoritism within the intelligence community under Brennan's leadership. As the investigations progress, the focus is on the possible false statements made to Congress, particularly concerning the Steele Dossier's inclusion in the ICA and the internal dynamics that may have influenced these decisions.
