The House Judiciary Committee has formally referred former CIA Director John Brennan to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution, alleging that he made false statements during his 2023 testimony about the agency’s handling of intelligence linked to the 2016 election.
According to the committee’s letter, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, Brennan is accused of misleading lawmakers about the CIA’s involvement in compiling the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, which included material later connected to the controversial Steele dossier. The committee claims that newly declassified evidence contradicts portions of Brennan’s sworn testimony, suggesting that the former intelligence chief may have violated federal law by providing inaccurate or incomplete information to Congress.
Lawmakers have urged the Justice Department to investigate whether Brennan knowingly misrepresented the CIA’s role in shaping the assessment, which influenced public perception of alleged Russian interference. Republicans argue that the discrepancies highlight deeper concerns over political bias and improper intelligence practices during that period.
The referral marks an escalation in ongoing efforts by House investigators to hold former intelligence officials accountable for actions tied to the early Russia investigations. Brennan, who led the CIA under President Barack Obama, has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations.
The Justice Department has not confirmed whether it plans to pursue charges, but the referral underscores the heightened scrutiny facing intelligence officials as congressional oversight intensifies over past handling of sensitive national security matters.