{"id":2583686,"date":"2026-03-25T12:42:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-john-brennan-inquiry-ramps-up-after-gop-votes-to-send-classified-transcripts\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T12:46:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:46:43","slug":"doj-john-brennan-inquiry-ramps-up-after-gop-votes-to-send-classified-transcripts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-john-brennan-inquiry-ramps-up-after-gop-votes-to-send-classified-transcripts\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ John Brennan inquiry ramps up after GOP votes to send classified transcripts"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-john-brennan-inquiry-ramps-up-after-gop-votes-to-send-classified-transcripts%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2583686&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>House Republicans moved to send classified transcripts related to former CIA Director John Brennan to the Justice Department, signaling a potential criminal case connected to the origins of the Russia investigation. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-to-hold-leadership-elections-amid-infighting-over-top-posts\/\" title=\"... to Hold Leadership Elections Amid Infighting Over Top Posts\">closed-door vote<\/a>, held at the Capitol and along party lines, reflected sharp partisan divide within the House Intelligence Committee: Republicans backed transferring the transcripts at DOJ\u2019s request, while Democrats argued they had insufficient time to review the material.<\/p>\n<p>The transcripts include Brennan\u2019s interviews and other related materials. The DOJ\u2019s involvement represents an escalation in efforts by Trump allies to scrutinize the Russia inquiry. A 2020 intelligence report that Brennan helped craft is cited as having claimed Putin wanted to aid Trump in 2016, a claim for which the intelligence community later acknowledged little supporting evidence; this narrative helped fuel the FBI\u2019s long-running investigation into possible Trump-Russia collusion. Brennan\u2019s lawyers say the charges are unfounded.<\/p>\n<p>The development ties into prior GOP pressure, led by Jim Jordan, to pursue charges over Brennan\u2019s testimony. The article notes broader concerns about prosecuting sensitive cases in Washington, D.C., and mentions potential venue strategies, including possible actions in Florida. Separately, the Intelligence committee released two 2019 transcripts related to Michael Atkinson and the handling of the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that triggered impeachment.The piece also highlights ongoing debates over reauthorizing FISA Section 702, with some Republicans demanding reforms before extending the surveillance powers.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">DOJ inquiry into John Brennan intensifies after House sends classified transcripts<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2379770\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-republicans\/\">House Republicans<\/a> voted behind closed doors Tuesday evening to send classified transcripts tied to former CIA Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-brennan\/\">John Brennan<\/a> to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a>, a move that signals the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a> is advancing a possible criminal case against one of the most prominent figures in the discredited Russia investigation from President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> first term.<\/p>\n<p>The vote, taken inside the Capitol&rsquo;s secure facility, fell along party lines and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jim-jordan-vows-to-keep-up-fight-for-speakership\/\" title=\"... pledges to continue his pursuit of the Speakership.\">exposed sharp divisions<\/a> within the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-intelligence-committee\/\">House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence<\/a>. Republicans backed the transfer of the transcripts at the DOJ&rsquo;s request, while Democrats objected, arguing they were given insufficient time to review the material after receiving it just days earlier.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4502686\/pritzker-tensions-fundraising-congressional-black-caucus\/\">Pritzker tries to smooth over tensions after fundraising battle with Congressional Black Caucus<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4502733\/watch-live-gop-press-conference-partial-government-shutdown\/\">WATCH LIVE: GOP holds press conference amid partial government shutdown<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4502636\/abigail-spanberger-makes-direct-appeal-voters-support-new-maps-democrats-control\/\">Abigail Spanberger makes direct appeal for voters to support map that would give Democrats 10-1 control<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former CIA Director John Brennan arrives for a meeting at the Capitol in Washington, May 21, 2019. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite, File)<br \/><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >committee approved sending classified interview transcripts<\/a> to the DOJ as part of a criminal inquiry tied in part to its own investigation of the Russia saga, which the committee detailed in a report. <\/p>\n<p>The report, which was completed in 2020 but not declassified for release until last year, found that Brennan manipulated intelligence to support the claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to help Trump win the 2016 election. That claim, for which the intelligence community actually did not have evidence, allowed the FBI to pursue a yearslong criminal investigation into whether Trump&rsquo;s campaign sought to accept Putin&rsquo;s help.<\/p>\n<p>A source familiar with the matter told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> the DOJ is expecting the transfer of the transcript copies. The transcripts include interviews related to Brennan and one interview with Brennan himself.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ request, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/punchbowl.news\/article\/house\/doj-house-brennan-transcript\/\">reported<\/a> by <em>Punchbowl News<\/em>, marked a significant escalation in a long-running effort by Trump and his allies to scrutinize the start of the Russia investigation. Brennan led the CIA from 2013 to 2017 and played a central role in the intelligence community&rsquo;s response to Russian interference in the 2016 election. Brennan helped initiate the counterintelligence investigation into Trump&rsquo;s campaign despite having very little evidence to justify doing so. The Russia investigation has remained a flashpoint in partisan battles for nearly a decade, particularly after the Trump administration began releasing documents last year that showed the FBI and CIA <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3487303\/declassified-durham-annex-clinton-plan-trump-russia-hoax\/\">relied on opposition research<\/a> funded by Trump&rsquo;s opponent, Hillary Clinton, to open their counterintelligence investigation while burying evidence that emerged at the time to suggest the claims of Russian collusion had no merit.<\/p>\n<p>Federal prosecutors have already signaled heightened interest in Brennan. His attorneys said in a December letter that prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida informed them he is a target of a grand jury investigation tied to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-kerry-putins-useful-climate-idiot\/\" title=\"John Kerry: Putin\u2019s Useful Climate Idiot\">2017 intelligence community assessment<\/a> on Russia. The investigation is being overseen by U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones, according to sources familiar with the matter.<\/p>\n<p>Brennan&rsquo;s legal team has pushed back forcefully, calling the investigation unfounded while questioning its legal basis.<\/p>\n<p>The referral builds on earlier efforts by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-judiciary-committee\/\">House Judiciary Committee<\/a> Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jim-jordan\/\">Jim Jordan<\/a> (R-OH), who previously urged the DOJ to pursue criminal charges against Brennan over alleged false testimony Brennan gave in 2023 regarding the origins of the Russia investigation. Brennan&rsquo;s lawyers have denied those allegations.<\/p>\n<p>The latest development comes as the Trump administration has faced hurdles bringing politically sensitive cases in Washington, D.C., where juries have been reluctant to indict in several high-profile Trump opponents. That dynamic has raised questions about venue strategy and whether prosecutors <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3492575\/doj-florida-obama-grand-jury-inquiry\/\">may lean more heavily on jurisdictions like South Florida<\/a>, where the Brennan inquiry <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3860488\/trump-administration-eyeing-conspiracy-case-obama-biden-officials\/\">is based<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Separately Tuesday, the Intelligence Committee voted to release two transcripts from 2019 interviews with former Intelligence Community Inspector General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1321623\/trump-fires-intelligence-community-inspector-general-who-handled-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint\/\">Michael Atkinson<\/a>. Those interviews focused on Atkinson&rsquo;s handling of the whistleblower complaint that ultimately triggered Trump&rsquo;s first impeachment.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4502270\/jim-jordan-spy-powers-extension-fisa-section-702\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4502270\/jim-jordan-spy-powers-extension-fisa-section-702\/\">JORDAN EYES SPY POWERS WARRANT DEBATE AFTER SHORT-TERM EXTENSION OF FISA SECTION 702<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The closed-door vote unfolded alongside a broader push by Republican leaders to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4502270\/jim-jordan-spy-powers-extension-fisa-section-702\/\">shore up support for reauthorizing Section 702<\/a> of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key surveillance authority set to expire on April 20. Jordan and Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) briefed GOP lawmakers Tuesday night in an effort to win over holdouts.<\/p>\n<p>Despite pressure from senior Trump administration officials to pass an extension on FISA powers, several House Republicans have remained wary of the program&rsquo;s history of misuse involving Americans and are demanding additional reforms. GOP leaders were forced to delay a planned vote this week due to insufficient support, with the measure now expected to come up after lawmakers return from a two-week recess in mid-April.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ Brennan inquiry widens as House sends transcripts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2583687,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP20134680926245.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[76520,7076,76519,76518],"class_list":["post-2583686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-classified-transcripts","tag-doj","tag-gop-inquiry","tag-john-brennan-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP20134680926245.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2583686"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2583690,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583686\/revisions\/2583690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2583687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2583686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2583686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2583686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}