Former CIA Director John Brennan has spoken out in defense of former FBI Director James Comey following Comey’s indictment on charges of lying and obstruction of justice. Brennan made his remarks during an appearance on MSNBC, where he dismissed the actions taken by the Department of Justice under former President Donald Trump as part of a “revenge tour.”
Brennan said, “John Durham, the special counsel who investigated over several years and spent many, many millions of dollars in man-hours, didn’t find any reason to press charges against Jim Comey. Bill Barr, the former attorney general in Trump’s first term, also pushed back mightily against Donald Trump, saying there’s nothing there. So again, all of the facts that we know of right now really say that Jim Comey should not be charged.”
He continued, “I worked very closely with Jim Comey while he was director of the FBI, and I was director of the CIA. Jim Comey is a man of integrity and honesty. I had some disagreements with Jim Comey about decisions or actions he took—that is natural—but I never had any doubt whatsoever that he was fully committed to the rule of law and to upholding his oath of office, which he has done.”
Brennan added further criticism regarding how allegations have been directed at Comey: “And so, from the standpoint of projection, in terms of this Trump administration putting on Jim all of these labels and allegations that I think are really hollow, it really, again, I think, is more reflective of the Trump administration overall, which is going to continue to follow Donald Trump’s lead on this revenge tour.”
A video clip shared online featured Brennan reiterating his support for Comey: “Jim Comey should not be charged! I worked very closely with him…Comey is a man of integrity, of honesty!” He also stated: “I never had any doubt he was committed to the rule of…”
Previously reported information indicates that a 2020 CIA report announced by then-Director John Ratcliffe revealed James Comey, John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper collaborated during the 2016 investigation into alleged ties between Trump’s campaign and Russia. The report indicated these officials used information from the Steele Dossier despite knowing its contents were unreliable.
Further developments suggest investigators are examining statements made by Brennan under oath in 2023 concerning his involvement in matters related to Russiagate.
