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The FBI has launched criminal investigations into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey, focusing on their roles in the government’s handling of allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to multiple media reports.
The probes, first reported Tuesday by Fox News Digital, are examining potential misconduct tied to federal investigations that scrutinized President Donald Trump’s campaign before he defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
The reported investigations stem from evidence sent by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to FBI Director Kash Patel, who is overseeing the inquiry. The nature of the evidence has not been publicly disclosed, and the Department of Justice has not confirmed any details.
“The Department of Justice cannot confirm or deny the existence of any potential investigation,” a DOJ spokesperson told Newsmax.
The scope of the investigations remains unclear, and it is not known what specific charges, if any, might be under consideration. A criminal investigation does not guarantee that charges will be filed.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the reports during an appearance on Fox News Tuesday evening, sharply criticizing both former officials.
“I’m glad to hear it, because both of these disgraceful individuals turned against our Constitution and our country, and I’m sure they did, in fact, lie to Congress,” she said. “It’s up to the Department of Justice to investigate that and to prosecute them if they did.”
“What we have seen is corruption at the highest levels against President Trump,” she claimed. “He prevailed, and the truth must come out… That’s what the president believes in and I’m glad to see the Department of Justice is opening up this investigation.”
The development follows the release of a CIA review last week that identified flaws in the intelligence community’s handling of its assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to aid Trump in the 2016 election. While the review highlighted problems in the production of the intelligence report, it did not dispute the conclusion that Russia aimed to influence the election in Trump’s favor.