Hunter Biden investigation: Brennan condemned ‘politicization’ of intel days before laptop letter
k it’s appalling and outrageous that individuals like John Ratcliffe are doing this type of thing,” Brennan exclaimed on the podcast. “It’s just so destructive of the intelligence community, and it’s yet another indication that Donald Trump has corrupted and politicized the intelligence community.”
But just days later, Brennan was singing a different tune as he signed onto a letter that baselessly linked the Hunter Biden laptop to Russia. This letter was organized in part by his longtime aide Nick Shapiro and signed by at least 17 other individuals who had appeared on the podcast of Mike Morell, the ex-CIA acting director who was “triggered” by now-Secretary of State Antony Blinken to craft it.
The close relationship between Brennan, Morell, and the laptop letter signatories sheds light on how these 51 former officials came to sign the letter just before the 2020 election. It’s clear that these individuals were not above politicizing intelligence themselves, despite Brennan’s condemnation of such behavior on Morell’s podcast.
In fact, Brennan was so upset about the declassification of Russia investigation documents by then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe that he called it “appalling and outrageous” on the podcast. But just days later, he was willing to sign onto a letter that made evidence-free claims of Russian involvement in the Hunter Biden laptop saga. It’s clear that Brennan’s words on the podcast were nothing more than empty rhetoric.
Former CIA Officials Criticize Trump Administration’s Handling of Intelligence
Former CIA officials Michael Morell and John Brennan criticized the Trump administration’s handling of intelligence during a recent podcast. Brennan called the administration’s actions “outrageous, appalling, and blatant politicization,” while Morell warned that Trump’s rhetoric and actions have caused many Americans to view the intelligence community as the “deep state.”
Future of the Intelligence Community
During the podcast, Morell asked Brennan how the intelligence community should move forward. Brennan responded by saying that future leaders of the intelligence community must speak out against Trump’s dismissive attitude towards intelligence. He also expressed hope that a Biden presidency would bring greater respect for the intelligence community.
Hunter Biden Laptop Letter
The podcast also discussed the controversial Hunter Biden laptop letter, which contributed to the baseless narrative that the laptop stories were a product of Russian disinformation. Morell testified that a call with a top advisor for Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign triggered his intent to write the letter. Republicans in Congress have accused Morell of being influenced by the Biden campaign.
Concerns About Politicization of Intelligence Briefings
Former CIA officer David Priess also appeared on the podcast and expressed concern about potential politicization of intelligence briefings to Joe Biden in the lead-up to the 2020 election. He warned that the U.S. intelligence community was “under threat” because of Trump’s presidency.
- Brennan called the Trump administration’s handling of intelligence “outrageous, appalling, and blatant politicization.”
- Morell warned that Trump’s rhetoric and actions have caused many Americans to view the intelligence community as the “deep state.”
- Brennan called on future leaders of the intelligence community to speak out against Trump’s dismissive attitude towards intelligence.
- Morell testified that a call with a top advisor for Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign triggered his intent to write the controversial Hunter Biden laptop letter.
- Former CIA officer David Priess expressed concern about potential politicization of intelligence briefings to Joe Biden in the lead-up to the 2020 election.
Former Intelligence Officials Behind Hunter Biden Laptop Letter
A group of former intelligence officials, including John McLaughlin, Glenn Gerstell, and Marc Polymeropoulos, were involved in drafting a letter that denied the authenticity of Hunter Biden’s laptop. The letter was signed by over 50 former intelligence officials and published in the New York Post in October 2020.
Behind the Scenes
The phone call to Morell had come from Jeremy Bash, another Hunter Biden laptop letter signer, who then got Ricchetti on the line. Bash, a former chief of staff at the CIA and Pentagon, was picked by Joe Biden to be part of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board last year. He appeared on Morell’s show in November 2021.
Former senior CIA operations officer Marc Polymeropoulos said in late 2020 that he and Morell helped put the letter together, and he appeared on the podcast in December 2020.
Political Criticism
John McLaughlin, a former acting CIA director under President George W. Bush, appeared on Morell’s podcast in April 2020, contending that “I don’t want to get overly political” before criticizing the Trump administration’s foreign policy. McLaughlin also appeared on the podcast in May 2018 and April 2022.
Glenn Gerstell, a former general counsel of the National Security Agency, appeared with Morell in December 2020, calling “disinformation” a “national security threat” and said foreign and domestic disinformation “both are dangerous.” In reference to Trump, Gerstell said, “When the president himself is one of the sources of disinformation, that has a great effect.” He also contended that Joe Biden would have to work to “restore the confidence of the American public in the intelligence community.”
Friendship and Politics
Morell told Polymeropoulos in an October 2019 podcast appearance that “people need to know that you and I are friends and our families are friends.” Morell asked Polymeropoulos if he had seen evidence of the “narrative” that the CIA “wants to influence politics here” in the United States.
Former CIA Officer Denies Hunter Biden Laptop Story
A former CIA officer, Nick Polymeropoulos, has dismissed the allegations surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop as “utterly absurd” and “deeply insulting.” The accusations were made by a group of former intelligence officials who signed a letter claiming that the laptop was part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
The letter was signed by several high-profile figures, including former CIA Director Leon Panetta and former National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas Rasmussen. However, Polymeropoulos has now spoken out against the claims, stating that they are baseless and unfounded.
Intelligence Matters Podcast
The controversy surrounding the laptop has been a topic of discussion on the Intelligence Matters podcast, hosted by Michael Morell. Morell has interviewed several of the signatories on his show, including Panetta and former CIA analyst Nada Bakos.
Other guests on the show have included former DNI James Clapper and former Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Mike Vickers. The podcast has been running since 2017 and has covered a wide range of topics related to national security and intelligence.
- CIA Director Mike Hayden appeared on the first episode of Morell’s CBS News podcast in May 2018
- Former acting National Counterterrorism Center Director Russ Travers appeared on the show in April 2021
- Former CIA Analysis Director Winston Wiley was a guest in August 2021
Despite the controversy surrounding the laptop, Morell has continued to produce his podcast and has interviewed a wide range of experts on national security and intelligence.
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