Investigation Initiated against Previous FBI Head and Former CIA Chief, According to Fox News Reports
In a significant development, a federal criminal investigation has been initiated against former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. The investigation centres around alleged misconduct and potential false testimony to Congress, concerning their handling of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election[1][2][4].
The probe's key focus includes Brennan's role in shaping the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russia's interference. The investigation examines the preparation of the report by Brennan, Comey, and then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, which described Russia's attempts to influence the election in favour of Donald Trump[1][2].
Recently, a "lessons learned" review declassified by CIA Director John Ratcliffe revealed procedural anomalies in the creation of the 2017 ICA. The review suggested that the process was rushed, and some intelligence protocols were not properly followed, fuelling suspicions of irregularities in the intelligence assessment's preparation[1][3].
The criminal investigation was instigated following a criminal referral from Ratcliffe to FBI Director Kash Patel, prompting the FBI probe into Brennan first, followed by Comey. Details on Comey’s investigation remain limited, but it is also focused on potential false statements to Congress and related misconduct[2][4].
These investigations are politically sensitive, with White House officials expressing support for the investigation, alleging corruption and falsehoods against President Trump by these former intelligence officials[2]. It is important to note that a criminal investigation does not necessarily result in charges.
Reuters has not independently verified the probes, and the scope of the investigations into Brennan and Comey remains unclear. However, Fox News Digital reported the investigations based on sources from the Justice Department, but the number of sources was not specified[5].
The investigations are over alleged wrongdoing related to past government investigations about claims of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections. Notably, the CIA review released last week found flaws in the production of a US intelligence assessment regarding Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, but it did not contest the conclusion that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to sway the vote to Trump[1][6].
As of July 2025, the investigations are ongoing, and the FBI, CIA, and the Justice Department have not commented on them. The public awaits further developments in this high-profile case.
[1] Fox News Digital. (2025, July). FBI launches criminal probe into John Brennan over Trump-Russia investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-launches-criminal-probe-into-john-brennan-over-trump-russia-investigation
[2] Hill, J. (2025, July). FBI investigating John Brennan over 2016 election meddling claims. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/574942-fbi-investigating-john-brennan-over-2016-election-meddling-claims
[3] Fox News Digital. (2025, July). Brennan's role in 2017 ICA under scrutiny in criminal probe. [online] Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/brennans-role-in-2017-ica-under-scrutiny-in-criminal-probe
[4] Fox News Digital. (2025, July). FBI investigates Comey in Trump-Russia probe. [online] Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-investigates-comey-in-trump-russia-probe
[5] Reuters. (2025, July). FBI probes Brennan, Comey over 2016 election meddling claims. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-investigation/fbi-probes-brennan-comey-over-2016-election-meddling-claims-idUSKCN25H233
[6] CNN. (2025, July). CIA review finds flaws in 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian election interference. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/cia-review-finds-flaws-in-2017-intelligence-assessment-on-russian-election-interference/index.html
- The criminal investigation into John Brennan and James Comey involves their roles in shaping the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election, where they described Russia's attempts to influence the election in favor of Donald Trump.
- The probe into Brennan's actions centers around allegations of misconduct, potential false testimony to Congress, and irregularities in the preparation of the 2017 ICA, as revealed by a CIA declassified "lessons learned" review that suggested procedural anomalies during the assessment's creation.
- The scope of the investigations, following criminal referrals from CIA Director John Ratcliffe to FBI Director Kash Patel, includes examining news articles related to war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, politics, world art, general-news, and war-and-conflicts, as they pertain to past government investigations about claims of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.
