The U.S. Justice Department is preparing to send out a new round of grand jury subpoenas in its investigation involving former CIA Director John Brennan, according to several media reports. This marks a major new phase in a case that has already attracted national attention.
Justice Department Moves Forward with Grand Jury Action
The investigation is being handled out of South Florida and is led by U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones, who is working closely with top officials in Washington. The Justice Department has not made any public comments, but the move suggests that prosecutors are now seeking more information and possible testimony from witnesses linked to the case.
John Brennan, who served as CIA Director during President Barack Obama’s administration, left the agency in early 2017. He has often been a strong critic of former President Donald Trump, especially regarding how Trump dealt with U.S. intelligence agencies and their findings on Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election.
Reports say the investigation is focused on whether Brennan may have given false or misleading information during a sworn interview with the House Judiciary Committee in May 2023. That interview covered the CIA’s handling of intelligence related to Russian interference in the election.
A grand jury subpoena means the Justice Department is asking individuals to provide documents or testimony under oath. It is one of the strongest legal tools available to federal prosecutors. The fact that subpoenas are being prepared shows that investigators are moving deeper into their review of Brennan’s role in those intelligence activities.
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Political Pressure and Renewed Debates Over the 2016 Election
The new investigation is reviving one of the most divisive topics in recent American politics — how U.S. agencies handled claims of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The issue was first investigated during the Obama years, then again under the Trump administration, and continues to spark political fights today.
In August, a White House spokesperson confirmed that Attorney General Pam Bondi had ordered a review of how officials from the Obama administration managed and shared intelligence related to the 2016 election. Bondi, who now oversees the Justice Department, has faced strong political pressure from supporters of former President Trump, many of whom believe earlier probes into Russia’s election interference unfairly targeted him and his campaign.
The new investigation comes after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made a criminal referral accusing several top Obama-era officials of engaging in a “conspiracy” tied to what she called the “Russiagate hoax.” However, the documents she declassified did not clearly show criminal wrongdoing.
Former President Obama’s office responded by calling Gabbard’s claims a “distraction” from more current Justice Department matters, including the ongoing review of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which Attorney General Bondi is also managing.
This latest move also follows the work of Special Counsel John Durham, who completed his own multi-year investigation in 2023. Durham was originally appointed by then-Attorney General Bill Barr to review how the FBI and other intelligence agencies conducted their Russia-related probes. In his final report, Durham found no criminal misconduct by Brennan or other intelligence officials, though he criticized some of the decisions made during that period.
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Even with that conclusion, the new investigation suggests the Justice Department wants to revisit parts of the story. Some lawmakers believe there are still unanswered questions about whether officials, including Brennan, were fully honest with Congress about what they knew and when.
Adding to the tension, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan recently accused Brennan of lying to Congress and formally asked the Justice Department to look into possible criminal charges. Jordan’s letter reignited partisan debate in Washington, with Democrats calling the move politically motivated and Republicans arguing it’s about accountability.
Brennan Denies Wrongdoing as Political Tensions Deepen
John Brennan has strongly denied doing anything wrong. He says the accusations against him are politically driven and are meant to punish him for being outspoken.
“These claims are just political payback,” Brennan told reporters earlier this year. “I stand by everything I said under oath and everything I did as CIA Director.”
During his long career, Brennan served under three presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. As CIA Director, he helped shape U.S. counterterrorism strategies and worked on intelligence reforms following the September 11 attacks. His reputation inside Washington was that of a disciplined and highly experienced intelligence professional.
However, after leaving office, Brennan became one of Donald Trump’s most visible critics. He regularly appeared on television and social media, questioning the former president’s statements about Russia and calling out what he saw as attacks on the intelligence community. In response, Trump revoked Brennan’s security clearance in 2018, calling him “a partisan critic.”
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The two have been at odds ever since.
The new investigation adds to a growing list of legal cases involving people who have publicly clashed with Trump. Former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James have also faced criminal cases this year, both of whom claim they are being targeted because of politics.
Legal experts say that while it’s not unusual for former officials to face scrutiny, the timing and focus of these probes give the appearance of political rivalry spilling into the justice system.
So far, no charges have been filed against Brennan. But the fact that the Justice Department is preparing grand jury subpoenas indicates that prosecutors are collecting new evidence and interviewing more witnesses to determine whether further action is necessary.
The investigation remains active, and sources say the Justice Department’s South Florida office is coordinating with top officials in Washington.
For now, the focus remains on one central question — whether the former CIA director misled Congress or federal investigators about intelligence related to Russia’s 2016 election interference.
