GOP Lawmakers Call for Indictment of John Brennan Over Alleged False Statements on Steele Dossier

Republican lawmakers are calling for criminal prosecution of former CIA Director John Brennan over alleged false statements to Congress regarding the Steele dossier, a key document in the Russia collusion investigation that dominated the early years of the Trump presidency.

According to statements from GOP members, Brennan has been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution as federal investigators continue to examine the actions of former Obama administration officials in connection with the Russia investigation.

Jody Weis, a retired veteran FBI special agent in charge, detailed the allegations during a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing. Weis claimed Brennan had previously testified that the CIA wasn’t involved with the Steele dossier and that he first saw the document after the 2016 presidential election.

“However, the Committee found out this was not correct,” Weis stated during his testimony. “Brennan personally received and analyzed that dossier pre-election.”

The controversy centers on Brennan’s role in handling intelligence related to Russian interference in the 2016 election and the subsequent inclusion of information from the Steele dossier in official intelligence assessments. The dossier, compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, contained unverified allegations about Trump’s connections to Russia.

According to Weis, Brennan allegedly misrepresented the CIA’s position on including the dossier in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russian interference. While Brennan claimed the CIA opposed including the dossier, committee findings suggest he overruled senior analysts who objected to its use.

“The Committee found that Brennan actually overruled senior CIA analysts’ objections to use it,” Weis explained.

Investigators reportedly uncovered email evidence contradicting Brennan’s congressional testimony. In one email, Brennan purportedly wrote that “the information warrants inclusion in the report.” When analysts raised concerns about the dossier’s reliability, Weis claims Brennan responded, “yes, but doesn’t it ring true.”

The allegations represent another chapter in the ongoing political battle over the origins and conduct of the Russia investigation. For years, Trump and his allies have characterized the investigation as a politically motivated “hoax” designed to undermine his presidency.

This development comes amid renewed scrutiny of intelligence officials who served during the Obama administration. Weis referenced a recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, suggesting it demonstrates the current administration’s commitment to accountability for what he called “the Russian hoax case.”

“That totally undermined President Trump’s first term,” Weis added.

The DOJ referral for Brennan marks a significant escalation in efforts to revisit the Russia investigation and potentially prosecute officials involved in its conduct. If pursued, criminal charges against a former CIA director would represent an extraordinary development in the aftermath of an investigation that dominated American politics for years.

The Steele dossier has remained a flashpoint in American politics since its existence became public knowledge in early 2017. Initially commissioned by Trump’s political opponents during the 2016 campaign, the dossier contained numerous allegations that were never fully verified. Critics have argued that intelligence agencies and law enforcement gave the document undue weight in their investigations.

For his part, Brennan has previously defended his actions during the Russia investigation, maintaining that intelligence agencies were responding appropriately to legitimate concerns about foreign interference in the American electoral process.

The DOJ has not publicly commented on whether it intends to pursue charges against Brennan based on the congressional referral. Any potential prosecution would face significant legal hurdles, including establishing that Brennan knowingly made false statements rather than having a different recollection or interpretation of events.