Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed this week that the Department of Justice has received a criminal referral alleging that former CIA Director John Brennan lied to Congress about the Steele dossier and its role in the 2016 Trump Russia investigation.
The referral was sent by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who is urging prosecutors to consider charges of perjury. The move marks a major escalation in the long running battle over the origins of the Trump Russia probe.
“What I can confirm is that we have received a referral from you, Chairman Jordan, to investigate John Brennan,” Bondi said during a House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Bondi added that the department is bound by its policy not to discuss pending matters but emphasized, “No one is above the law. Weaponization has ended.”
Jordan’s referral centers on Brennan’s 2023 testimony to Congress about the Steele dossier, a document that contained unverified and negative allegations about President Donald Trump. The dossier was used during the Obama era intelligence review of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
According to Jordan’s letter, Brennan made “numerous willfully and intentionally false statements of material fact” about the role the dossier played in the Intelligence Community Assessment.
The referral argues that Brennan downplayed or misrepresented how the dossier was handled and how it factored into the broader investigation surrounding Trump and Russia.
The dossier has since been discredited.
Jordan’s letter points to information gathered by House Intelligence Committee Republicans and the CIA that he says contradicts Brennan’s sworn testimony. To bring charges, prosecutors would need to prove Brennan lied intentionally and knowingly.
Damage to Trump
The controversy directly ties back to President Donald Trump and the investigation into his 2016 campaign.
Republicans have long argued that the Trump Russia probe was politically motivated and designed to undermine Trump’s campaign and presidency. They believe Brennan and others pushed intelligence assessments that relied in part on a document filled with unverified claims.
When asked last summer about reports that Brennan was under investigation, Trump responded bluntly.
“I think they’re very dishonest people. I think they’re crooked as hell. And, maybe they have to pay a price for that,” Trump said. He added, “Whatever happens, happens.”
Supporters of the referral argue that Brennan’s alleged false statements were part of a broader effort to damage Trump politically.
Broader Investigations and Subpoenas
The Department of Justice has reportedly been investigating Brennan and others for months over the origins of the 2016 probe.
A grand jury subpoenaed Brennan as well as former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. The subpoenas were issued out of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Brennan’s lawyers have accused the DOJ of “forum shopping” for Republican friendly judges.
Current CIA Director John Ratcliffe has also made a criminal referral related to the matter, alleging broader conspiracy issues connected to the intelligence community’s actions during the 2016 election.
Brennan Pushes Back
Brennan has denied wrongdoing.
“It is hard to believe that here we are, eight and a half years afterward. We’re still going over this ground that has been, I think, fairly well and exhaustively plowed,” Brennan said during an appearance on MSNBC.
He defended the intelligence community’s work, saying officials went to “great lengths” to protect identities and conduct their review properly.
Brennan also criticized what he described as politicization (Ironic, right?).
“I think this is unfortunately a very sad and tragic example of the continued politicization of the intelligence community, of the national security process,” he said. He added that he was “really shocked that individuals who are willing to sacrifice their reputations, their credibility, their decency to continue to do Donald Trump’s bidding on something that clearly is just politically based.”
Democrats have echoed that sentiment. Rep. Dan Goldman suggested that if anyone wanted to know whether Brennan would be indicted, “you should just ask the president,” implying political influence.
Rep. Jamie Raskin criticized Republicans for digging through past testimony in search of criminal charges.
Jordan’s referral argues that Brennan’s testimony crossed the line into criminal territory.
“While testifying, Brennan made numerous willfully and intentionally false statements of material fact contradicted by the record,” Jordan wrote.
If prosecutors move forward, the case would mirror charges already brought against former FBI Director James Comey, who has also denied wrongdoing.
For supporters of Trump, this moment represents long awaited accountability. They argue that senior intelligence officials misled Congress in order to fuel an investigation that damaged a sitting president and divided the country.
For Brennan and his allies, the referral is political retaliation.
The Justice Department now faces a decision that could carry serious legal and political consequences. If prosecutors conclude that Brennan knowingly lied under oath, the penalties could include prison time.
Bondi made clear that the referral has been received and is under review. Whether it results in charges will determine whether this chapter in the Trump Russia saga finally leads to courtroom accountability.
