Former CIA Director John Brennan Admits That Letter Signed By 51 Former Intelligence Officials That Falsely Said Hunter Biden's Laptop Was Russian Disinformation 'Was Political'

Ex-CIA chief John Brennan speaks to House on Hunter Biden laptop letter © Provided by NYPost  

Daily Mail: Ex-CIA chief admitted that the 'Dirty 51' letter 'WAS political' as agency conspired with Biden campaign to produce it and falsely claim emails on Hunter Biden's laptop were Russian disinformation 

* Former CIA director John Brennan admitted infamous letter 'was political'

* Letter sought to discredit reporting on Hunter Biden's laptop as disinformation 

Former CIA director John Brennan has admitted the infamous letter signed by 51 former intelligence officials falsely saying Hunter Biden's laptop was Russian disinformation 'was political'. 

Brennan, the CIA chief during Obama's administration made the admission during his four-hour testimony to House Judiciary Committee investigators behind closed doors last week', Fox News reports. 

Brennan's deposition comes as former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is expected to give testimony on May 17.  

Read more ....  

Update: John Brennan's closed-door hearing 'confirmed' Hunter laptop letter was 'all political': Jim Jordan (FOX News)  

Update #2: Ex-CIA chief John Brennan speaks to House on Hunter Biden laptop letter (NYPost)  

WNU Editor: This is just more proof that the US intelligence community — along with law enforcement agencies, the DOJ and others, have weaponized their agencies to pursue political objectives.

Former CIA Director John Brennan Says He Is 'Increasingly Embarrassed To Be A White Male'

 

  Daily Mail: Ex-CIA Director John Brennan says he is 'increasingly embarrassed to be a white male' during TV debate on Republican response to US Capitol riot 

 * Ex-CIA Director John Brennan is 'increasingly embarrassed to be a white male' 

 * Speaking on MSNBC, the 65-year-old was questioned about Capitol Hill siege 

 * He said only a few Republicans in Congress value 'truth, honesty and integrity' 

The former director of the CIA has said he is 'embarrassed' to be a white male during a discussion about the US Capitol riot. 

Speaking as part of a panel of guests on MSNBC yesterday, John Brennan, 65, was asked whether some members of the Republican party are lying about the events leading up to the US capitol siege. 

'Deadline White House' host Nicolle Wallace asked Brennan whether a recent New York Times report on the death of Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick 'renders at best, hypocritical, at worst cynical and false, any notion that the Republicans care about the lives and safety of law enforcement.' 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: I always find it strange how some people see everything through the optics of race. Even more harder to believe that John Brennan was once a CIA director. 

 More News On Former CIA Director John Brennan Saying He Is 'Increasingly Embarrassed To Be A White Male' 

Ex-CIA Director Brennan says he's 'increasingly embarrassed to be a white male' -- FOX News 

Ex-CIA chief John Brennan ‘increasingly embarrassed’ to be a white man -- NYPost 

Former CIA Director John Brennan says he is 'increasingly embarrassed to be a white male' -- Washington Examiner 

Former CIA director John Brennan ‘embarrassed to be a WHITE MALE’... and critics agree they're embarrassed he's a white male too -- RT

Former CIA Director John Brennan Wants The Intel Agencies To Go After Violent And Extremist Groups That Also Includes Libertarians!

.@JohnBrennan: Biden intel community “are moving in laser-like fashion to try to uncover as much as they can about” the pro-Trump “insurgency” that harbors “religious extremists, authoritarians, fascists, bigots, racists, nativists, even libertarians” pic.twitter.com/SjVXWhPhR8

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 20, 2021

Zero Hedge: "Even Libertarians": John Brennan Issues 'List' Of Ideologies Biden Intel Community Should Go After 

Well this is alarming and ominous to say the least... Former CIA Director John Brennan told MSNBC in an interview on inauguration day that the intelligence community under newly sworn in President Biden is "moving in laser-like fashion" to try and uncover dangerous plots against the country. 

Naturally, there's been much of this worrisome commentary about what political ideologies should be targeted and monitored coming out of NatSec hawks in the wake of the Capitol Hill mayhem of January 6. But this is the first time such a broad array of groups have been so bluntly lumped into a Pro-Trump "insurgency" by an influential media pundit and former spook. Brennan expressly said they are "violent" and remain a domestic threat. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Former CIA Director John Brennan is "tight" with the intel community and with many in the Biden administration. His remarks are alarming and ominous to say the least. Will the Biden administration distance themselves from the former CIA Director? I have my doubts. 

Update: Nothing but praise from the former CIA Director on President Biden's choice for CIA Director .... 'A great pick': Top spies praise Biden choice of Amb. William Burns to head CIA (NBC).

Former CIA Director John Brennan Says It's 'Presumptuous And Arrogant' To Think Humans Are Alone In The Universe

President Obama listens after his announcement of Brennan as his nominee to be the new director of the CIA (Jason Reed/Courtesy Reuters). 

Daily Mail: Former CIA boss John Brennan says it's 'presumptuous and arrogant' to think humans are alone in the universe as he talks about recently declassified UFO videos 

 * Brennan made his comments on the Conversations with Tyler podcast 

 * The former CIA director believes the notion of aliens can't be disputed

 * In April, the Department of Defense unclassified several videos from the Navy that appear to show UFOs, with no other explanation for appearances confirmed 

 * Brennan served as the CIA director under Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017 

John Brennan has joined the list of prominent believers suggesting there may be life beyond the reaches of the Earth. 

During a recent podcast appearance, the former director of the CIA made it clear that he's not against the possibility of alien lifeforms existing. 

'Life is defined in many different ways,' Brennan said during the December 16 episode of Conversations with Tyler. 

'I think it’s a bit presumptuous and arrogant for us to believe that there’s no other form of life anywhere in the entire universe.' 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The podcast with former CIA Director Brennan is here .... John O. Brennan on Life in the CIA (Conversations with Tyler) 

 More News On Former CIA Director John Brennan Talking About Alien Life 

Former CIA director says unexplained phenomenon 'might ... constitute a different form of life' -- FOX News 

Ex-CIA boss John Brennan believes there may be life beyond Earth -- NYPost 

‘A Bit Presumptuous and Arrogant’ to Assume Aliens Don’t Exist, Former CIA Chief Says -- Sputnik Ex-CIA director says 'eyebrow-raising' Nimitz UFO 'could be a different lifeform' -- Daily Star

Former CIA Director Brennan Condemns Killing Of Iranian Nuclear Scientist

This was a criminal act & highly reckless. It risks lethal retaliation & a new round of regional conflict.
Iranian leaders would be wise to wait for the return of responsible American leadership on the global stage & to resist the urge to respond against perceived culprits. https://t.co/0uZhyBTM3S

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) November 27, 2020

Former Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan called the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist "criminal" and "reckless" 

FOX News: Obama CIA Director John Brennan blasts assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist

Trump remains quiet on suspected Israeli assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh 

Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan condemned the killing of an Iranian scientist believed to be linked to Tehran’s nuclear program Friday, calling it “criminal” and “highly reckless.” 

Details on the attack remain slim, but local outlets have reported that Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed after a truck full of explosives concealed, by a pile of wood pulled alongside the scientist’s sedan before detonating in the town of Absard, located just east of Tehran. 

“This was a criminal act & highly reckless,” Brennan wrote on Twitter Friday afternoon. “It risks lethal retaliation & a new round of regional conflict.” 

Read more .... 

 More News On Former CIA Director Brennan Condemning Killing Of Iranian Nuclear Scientist 

Ex-CIA chief condemns 'criminal' assassination of Iranian -- AFP 

Former CIA Director Brennan's bizarre tweet condemning killing of Iranian scientist sparks criticism -- Post Millenial 

‘Criminal act’: Ex-CIA chief urges Iran to wait on ‘return of responsible US leaders’ before reacting to nuclear scientist killing -- RT

Real Clear Investigations: Former CIA Director Brennan Overruled Dissenting Analysts Who Concluded Russia Favored Hillary Clinton In The 2016 Presidential Election

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan makes a point while he holds a rare news conference at the CIA Headquarters in Virginia December 11, 2014. REUTERS/Larry Downing

Paul Sperry, Real Clear Investigations: Secret Report: How CIA's Brennan Overruled Dissenting Analysts Who Concluded Russia Favored Hillary

Former CIA Director John Brennan personally edited a crucial section of the intelligence report on Russian interference in the 2016 election and assigned a political ally to take a lead role in writing it after career analysts disputed Brennan's take that Russian leader Vladimir Putin intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump clinch the White House, according to two senior U.S. intelligence officials who have seen classified materials detailing Brennan’s role in drafting the document.

The explosive conclusion Brennan inserted into the report was used to help justify continuing the Trump-Russia “collusion” investigation, which had been launched by the FBI in 2016. It was picked up after the election by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who in the end found no proof that Trump or his campaign conspired with Moscow.

The Obama administration publicly released a declassified version of the report — known as the "Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent Elections (ICA)” — just two weeks before Trump took office, casting a cloud of suspicion over his presidency. Democrats and national media have cited the report to suggest Russia influenced the 2016 outcome and warn that Putin is likely meddling again to reelect Trump.

The ICA is a key focus of U.S. Attorney John Durham’s ongoing investigation into the origins of the “collusion” probe. He wants to know if the intelligence findings were juiced for political purposes.

Read more ....

WNU Editor:I have just two things to say about former CIA Director John Brennan. This is a bad man. And two .... all roads lead to him when it comes to accusations that President Trump colluded with Russia.

Why Is Former CIA Director Brennan Not Facing Perjury Charges?

The Federalist: Brennan Lied About Not Including Steele Dossier In Intelligence Community Assessment On 2016 Russian Election Interference

The new report from Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz confirmed former CIA Director John Brennan lied to Congress about whether the dossier authored by Christopher Steele was used in the Obama administration’s Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA).

The ICA, a report conducted by intelligence officials in 2016 on Russian election interference, was used to brief President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump in January 2017. According to the IG report, there was significant discussion by top intelligence officials as to whether the unverified Steele dossier should be included in the main body of the ICA report, summarized in an appendix, or even included at all.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: After the IG report was released former CIA Director Brennan did the following tweet:

The damage being inflicted by @realDonaldTrump on our national conscience & our government is tragic.

Members of Congress & staffers who defend & misrepresent his indefensible actions are telling Americans it’s ok to be dishonest, unethical, & corrupt.

How far we have fallen.

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) December 9, 2019

A strange response from the former CIA Director to an Inspector General's report that basically says he lied to Congress when he said the debunked Steele dossier was not relied upon for the Obama administration’s Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). Bottom line. We now have an official report backed by evidence stating that the Intelligence Community Assessment's on Russian interference was based on a dossier riddled with false claims and written by a former MI6 Intelligence officer Christopher Steele who was also paid for by the Clinton campaign. And the cherry on top of this cake is that this same dossier was also used to obtain FISA warrants that permitted FBI surveillance of the Trump campaign via through Carter Page in 2016. I just cannot make this stuff up. And as for John Brennan not facing perjury charges. What type of justice system permits that?

More Criticisms Of President Trump Revoking Former CIA Director Brennan's Security Clearance

Former CIA director John Brennan is sworn in to testify before the House Intelligence Committee to take questions on "Russian active measures during the 2016 election campaign" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Reuters: New outcry over Trump's revocation of Brennan security clearance

(Reuters) - More than 175 former State Department and Pentagon officials added their names to a statement signed by national security officials criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel the security clearance of former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan.

New signatories to the statement, which was initially issued last week by 15 former directors and deputy chiefs of the CIA and Office of Director of National Intelligence, include former political appointees and career civil servants. They worked under both Democratic and Republican presidents.

Among the most prominent individuals to sign a new version of the statement released on Monday by senior officials from the George W. Bush and Obama administrations are former State Department and National Security Counsel lawyer John Bellinger, former Deputy Secretaries of State Anthony Blinken and William Burns, former Undersecretaries of State Nicholas Burns, Wendy Sherman and Thomas Pickering.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Only 175 have added their names to a statement criticizing President Trump's removal of former CIA Director Brennan's security clearance?!?!?!? I expected hundreds. On a side note .... former CIA Director Brennan has threatened to sue, but President Trump is daring him to do so .... Trump dares Brennan to sue because his clearance was revoked (AP). I personally hope that the former CIA Director does sue. The discovery that will need to be produced and made public will be entertaining to read and post.

Retired U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven Wants His Security Clearance Revoked In Solidarity With Former CIA Director Brennan

Retired U.S. Navy admiral William McRaven, commander of the SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden, asked President Donald Trump to revoke his security clearance in a gesture of solidarity with former CIA chief John Brennan

Daily Mail: 'I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance. You have humiliated us and divided us.' SEAL admiral in charge of bin Laden raid savages Trump for 'McCarthy era' attack on John Brennan

* President Donald Trump canceled former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance on Wednesday
* Brennan is a longtime CIA agent who ran it during the Osama bin Laden raid
* He has become a fierce Trump critic on Twitter and was a key figure in the launch of the Russia probe
* Brennan blasted Trump in a New York Times op-ed on Thursday, saying the president is targeting him in order to keep 'collusion' a secret
* Retired Navy Admiral William McRaven piled on later in the day, writing in The Washington Post that he hoped Trump would revoke his clearance too
* Rob O'Neill, the Navy SEAL credited with killing bin Laden, says he disagrees with McRaven – who was his commanding officer during the 2011 raid

William McRaven, commander of the U.S. Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden, condemned President Donald Trump on Thursday for revoking the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan – and asked that his be canceled as well.

The decorated retired Navy admiral, in an open letter published in The Washington Post, defended Brennan as 'one of the finest public servants I have ever known' and accused Trump of using 'McCarthy-era tactics.'

'Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John,' McRaven wrote of Brennan. 'He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don't know him.'

'Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.'

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Former CIA Director Brennan is now doubling down in accusing President Trump of colluding with Russia to steal the U.S. Presidential election .... Trump campaign colluded with Russia, former CIA director Brennan writes in op-ed (CBC/AP). More here .... Brennan hits back at Trump and calls denials of Russian collusion 'hogwash' (The Guardian). As to what is my take .... former CIA Director Brennan's accusations that President Trump committed treason for talking with Russian Presdient Putin last month makes me wonder how did this person ever get to be CIA Director .... Ex-CIA Director Brennan Accuses President Trump of 'Treason' (July 16, 2018). As for retired U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven's wish to have his security clearance revoked in solidarity with former CIA Director Brennan, this is the intelligence community circling the wagons to defend one of their own .... Former US security leaders blast Trump for yanking clearance (AP).

Ex-CIA Director Brennan Accuses President Trump of 'Treason'

Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) July 16, 2018

CNN: Former intel chiefs condemn Trump's news conference with Putin

Washington (CNN) Former US intelligence chiefs expressed astonishment and condemnation Monday in response to President Donald Trump's comments at Monday's news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with former CIA Director John Brennan calling the US President's performance "nothing short of treasonous."

Following his one-on-one meeting with Putin in Helsinki, Finland, Trump declined to endorse the US intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election over Putin's denial, saying the Russian President was "extremely strong and powerful" in his denial.

"Donald Trump's press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of 'high crimes & misdemeanors.' It was nothing short of treasonous," Brennan, a frequent critic of Trump who served as CIA chief from 2013 through January 2017, tweeted during the event.

"Not only were Trump's comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???"

Read more ....

Update: Ex-CIA Chief Brennan Accuses Trump of 'Treason' After Presser With Putin (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: Treason?!?!?!

Former CIA Director John Brennan: President Trump Is ‘Unstable, Inept, Inexperienced, And Also Unethical’

The Hill: Ex-CIA chief: Trump ‘unstable, inept, inexperienced, and also unethical’

Former CIA chief John Brennan on Friday predicted "rough waters ahead," particularly on international issues, saying President Trump is "unstable, inept, inexperienced, and also unethical."

In an interview with MSNBC's "Deadline: White House," Brennan told host Nicolle Wallace that the president was "ill prepared" to take on the duties of commander in chief, particularly growing military aggression from Russia and North Korea.

"It is no secret to anybody that Donald Trump was very ill prepared and unexperienced in terms of dealing with matters that a head of state needs to deal with, head of government, and I think this is now coming to roost," Brennan said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: For the entire week .... beside the above remarks from former CIA Director Brennan ....  the media narrative is that the White House is in chaos, and that everyone wants to leave. I guess this New York Times article sums it up .... Trump’s Chaos Theory for the Oval Office Is Taking Its Toll (New York Times). What's my take .... and everyone who reads this blog knows that I like to take the contrarian point of view with what the media is saying .... I (of course) have a different point of view. For an administration that is in complete chaos .... they sure as hell have a done a lot in the past year .... Heritage Foundation: 64% of Trump's agenda already done, faster than Reagan (Washington Examiner). And while I have no clue on what is happening in the White House (and I would say neither does the White House Press corps) .... I do know one thing. When administrations are in chaos .... they cannot do anything. But this administration .... much to the disapproval of its opponents .... appears to be accomplishing just the opposite.

The interview with former CIA Director Brennan can be seen here .... Fmr CIA Dir Brennan weighs in on Mueller, Russian meddling, and the disturbing divide in Washington (MSNBC Dateline).

Did Ex-CIA Director John Brennan Commit Perjury In His Testimony On The Russian Dossier?

John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, talks with President Obama in the White House dining room, February, 2010. Photo: White House/Pete Souza

Paul Sperry, RealClearInvestigations: Exclusive: CIA Ex-Director Brennan's Perjury Peril

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes next plans to investigate the role former CIA Director John Brennan and other Obama intelligence officials played in promoting the salacious and unverified Steele dossier on Donald Trump -- including whether Brennan perjured himself in public testimony about it.

In his May 2017 testimony before the intelligence panel, Brennan emphatically denied the dossier factored into the intelligence community’s publicly released conclusion last year that Russia meddled in the 2016 election "to help Trump’s chances of victory.”

Brennan also swore that he did not know who commissioned the anti-Trump research document (excerpt here), even though senior national security and counterintelligence officials at the Justice Department and FBI knew the previous year that the dossier was funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I do not see Ex-CIA Director John Brennan going to trial .... unless there is more evidence out there that we do not know about.

Former CIA Director John Brennan Blasts President Trump's Strategy On Iran

With wholesale condemnation of Iran and nuclear deal over past year, Trump Admin squandered opportunity to bolster reformists in Tehran and prospects for peaceful political reform in Iran. Bluster is neither a strategy nor a mechanism for exercise of U.S. power and influence.

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) January 2, 2018

The Hill: Former CIA Director Brennan hits Trump strategy on Iran

Former CIA Director John Brennan on Tuesday blasted the Trump administration for its stance on Iran, saying that President Trump's hard-line posture toward Tehran and disavowal of a landmark nuclear deal had ultimately diminished the possibility of peaceful political change there.

"With wholesale condemnation of Iran and nuclear deal over past year, Trump Admin squandered opportunity to bolster reformists in Tehran and prospects for peaceful political reform in Iran," Brennan tweeted. "Bluster is neither a strategy nor a mechanism for exercise of U.S. power and influence."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Hmmmm .... if I can interpret his tweet .... according to former CIA Director John Brennan the Iranian moderates he is referring to are the people who were about to begin a process of peaceful liberalization -- until Trump came into office. Groan ..... watching President Obama's foreign policy team pretend that they have a defensible track record will never get old. On a side note .... while growing up in the former Soviet Union .... I remember reading many times President Reagan being criticized by the Western press and Western politicians for his harsh tone against the Kremlin and its leadership, and that he should appeal to the moderates within the Soviet government. I always shook my head when I was reading those reports .... I and almost everyone else living in the Soviet Union at the time knew that there were no moderates in the Kremlin. Same thing here .... there are no moderates in the Iranian government. President Reagan was effective because he exposed the Soviet leadership and its government for who they were, and they made his case stronger when they defended themselves to a population who knew that they were lying. Same thing here again .... President Trump is exposing who the Mullahs are, and they in turn .... by defending themselves .... are exposing their lies to their own people.

Why Former CIA Director John Brennan Joined The CIA 40 Years Ago

John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, talks with President Obama in the White House dining room, February, 2010. Photo: White House/Pete Souza

Business Insider: The former director of the CIA got into intelligence after his wife urged him to 'get a real job and help pay the bills'

On his way to Fordham University one day in the 1970s, a college student named John Brennan spotted an advertisement in The New York Times for a position in the CIA.

More than three decades later, Brennan became the director of that organization, working under President Barack Obama. But he might not ever have started a career there had his wife not pushed him to apply when he was in his 20s.

On an episode of Business Insider's podcast, "Success! How I Did It," recorded at an Intersport leadership summit in April, Brennan told Business Insider US editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell why he considered working for the CIA.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I am willing to bet that he did not tell his CIA bosses that he voted for the Communist party in 1976 .... CIA Director Once Voted for Communist Presidential Candidate (Washington Free Beacon)

Former Intelligence Chiefs Criticise President Trump. Former CIA Director Brennan Encourages Government Officials To Not Follow President Trump's Orders On Robert Mueller

CNN: Brennan: Officials should refuse to fire Mueller if asked to by Trump

(CNN)Former CIA Director John Brennan says government officials should refuse orders to fire special counsel Robert Mueller if they are told to by the White House.

"I think it's the obligation of some executive branch officials to refuse to carry that out. I would just hope that this is not going to be a partisan issue. That Republicans, Democrats are going to see that the future of this government is at stake and something needs to be done for the good of the future," Brennan told CNN's Wolf Blitzer at the Aspen Security Forum.

Brennan was appearing with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and both men, who served in the Obama administration, told Blitzer they have total confidence in Mueller. "Absolutely. It was an inspired choice- they don't come any better, " Brennan said. He added that "If Mueller is fired, I hope our elected reps will stand up and say enough is enough."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: During President Obama's term he and the intelligence community were always being accused of "politicising intelligence" .... and they in turn went out of their way to deny such claims. Six months after the inauguration of President Trump .... what we now see are these former intel chiefs going out of their way to be as political as possible .... even telling government officials to dis-obey the President. It took some time .... and there is nothing wrong to state your opinion .... but it is good to see the true nature of these people now coming out in such a public manner.

More News On Former Intelligence Chiefs "Tearing Into" President Trump

Former spy chiefs tear into Trump -- Politico
Former Obama spy chiefs upbraid Trump for his remarks about his intelligence agencies -- Washington Post
Angry Former Spy Chiefs, Anxiety, and Discord Over Trump at a Security Forum -- The New Yorker
'In Some Respects, We're A Nation In Crisis Right Now,' Former CIA Director Says -- NPR
Former CIA Director Calls For A Coup If Trump Fires Mueller -- Zero Hedge

Former CIA Director John Brennan's Testifies On Trump-Russia Ties

New York Times: Former C.I.A. Chief Tells of Concern Over Possible Russia Ties to Trump Campaign

• John O. Brennan, the former director of the C.I.A., said publicly for the first time Tuesday that he was concerned about possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.

• President Trump asked two top intelligence officials to deny the existence of any evidence of collusion between his campaign and Russia, former officials said. Both of the intelligence officials are testifying before lawmakers on Tuesday.

The former C.I.A. chief speaks publicly about his worries.

Mr. Brennan, the former C.I.A. director, said Tuesday that he became concerned last year that the Russian government was trying to influence members of the Trump campaign to act — wittingly or unwittingly — on Moscow’s behalf.

“I encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and U.S. persons involved in the Trump campaign that I was concerned about because of known Russian efforts to suborn such individuals,” Mr. Brennan told lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: As far as I know it is not against the law to talk to talk to Russians (or anyone else from abroad) .... and if you are involved in U.S. politics .... it is a guarantee that you will meet people from all over the world who want to meet you and to influence your opinion. This is what diplomats, lobbyists, and yes .... spies .... do all the time. So listening to former CIA Director John Brennan telling this committee that Russian officials went out of their way to meet Trump officials does not surprise me .... I would be shocked and surprised if they did not. But that is not why former CIA Director John Brennan showed up at today's committee .... he showed up because this Congressional committee wanted to know if he has tangible evidence and proof that Trump campaign officials and Russian officials colluded to influence the U.S. election. Not surprisingly .... he had nothing to offer but his own opinion and concerns. In short .... he has nothing .... but he is still recommending that the FBI continue their probe and investigation.

More News On Former CIA Director John Brennan's Testimony On Trump-Russia Ties

CIA director warned Russian security service chief about interference in election -- Washington Post
Brennan says he saw intel linking Russia to Trump campaign associates -- FOX News
Ex-CIA chief John Brennan: Russians contacted Trump campaign -- CNN
Former CIA chief says there were contacts between Russia and Trump aides -- CBS
Former CIA director: I was concerned about 'interactions' between Russians and the Trump campaign -- Business Insider
Former CIA Director 'Concerned' About Contacts Between Trump Campaign and Russia -- TIME
Ex-CIA head: Intel showed contacts between Russians and Trump team -- The Hill
Ex-CIA director John Brennan: 'Unresolved questions' about Trump campaign ties to Russia -- USA Today
Former CIA director says he warned Russia against meddling in the 2016 election in Aug. 4 call to Russia intel chief -- Washington Post
Ex-CIA chief Brennan says Trump-Russia inquiry 'well-founded' -- BBC
Former CIA director defends FBI investigation on Russia -- Axios

John Brennan Confirmed As CIA Director

John Brennan Confirmed As CIA Director Following White House Drone Statement -- Washington Post

John O. Brennan was confirmed as CIA director on Thursday afternoon, after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) expressed satisfaction with the response he had received to his questions about the Obama administration’s drone program.

Paul engaged in a nearly 13-hour talking filibuster against Brennan’s nomination on Wednesday, ending after midnight on Thursday morning. Throughout the filibuster, Paul said he simply wanted the White House to clarify that it would not use unmanned aerial drones to kill American citizens on U.S. soil — a point he felt the White House hadn’t been clear enough on.

Read more ....

More News On The Confirmation of John Brennan As CIA Director

Senate confirms Brennan as new CIA director -- Reuters
Senate clears Brennan as CIA chief -- AP
As drone furor ebbs, Senate confirms Brennan as CIA director -- NBC
Brennan confirmed for CIA after drone delay -- CNN
Senate Confirms John Brennan as Director of CIA on 63-34 Vote -- Bloomberg
Senate confirms CIA director Brennan after Paul gets assurances -- Washington Times
Senate confirms John Brennan to CIA post -- Politico
Senate Confirms John Brennan as CIA Director -- ABC News
John Brennan confirmed as CIA head after filibuster -- BBC
Senate Approves Nomination Of John Brennan As CIA Chief -- NPR

U.S. Senate intelligence Committee Approves John Brennan's CIA Nomination

Senate Intelligence Panel Approves Brennan's CIA Nomination -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The Senate Intelligence Committee voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to approve John Brennan as President Barack Obama's new CIA director, after the committee resolved a dispute with the White House over access to classified legal opinions on the targeted killings of U.S. citizens overseas.

The vote clears a major hurdle for Brennan, currently Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser. While he seems likely to ultimately win confirmation by the full Senate, his nomination still could face further delays from Republican lawmakers.

The committee vote, at a closed-door meeting, was 12-3, according to Senator Dianne Feinstein, the committee's Democratic chairwoman.

The "no" votes were cast by Republican Senators Tom Coburn, Saxby Chambliss and James Risch. But other Republican committee members joined the panel's majority Democrats in voting to approve Brennan's nomination.

Read more ....

More News On the U.S. Senate intelligence Committee Approving John Brennan's CIA Nomination

Senate committee approves Brennan for CIA post, 12 to 3 -- Washington Post
Senate panel votes to approve Obama's CIA nominee -- Mercury News/AP
Senate panel votes to move Brennan's CIA nomination forward -- NBC
Nominee to Lead C.I.A. Clears Hurdle After Release of Drone Data -- New York Times
Senate committee approves Brennan as CIA director -- L.A. Times
Senate intelligence panel OKs Brennan nomination for CIA director -- Washington Times
Brennan’s Nomination to Head CIA Advances to Senate Floor -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Senate intelligence panel approves Brennan to head CIA -- USA Today
CIA Pick Clears Committee But Faces Hurdles -- Wall Street Journal
Senate panel approves John Brennan's nomination as CIA director -- The Guardian
Senate panel pushes forward CIA director nomination -- Deutsche Welle
John Brennan CIA nomination moved forward -- BBC
White House Trades Targeted-Killing Memos for a New CIA Director -- Danger Room
Brennan CIA nomination clears panel. What did White House have to divulge? -- Christian Science Monitor
Brennan, approved by committee, still faces battle from Republicans -- CNN

What's Holding Up John Brennan's Confirmation As CIA Director?

Who's Holding Up John Brennan's Confirmation? -- Passport/Foreign Policy

Almost two months after Barack Obama nominated John Brennan to become his next CIA director, the White House counterterrorism advisor's confirmation remains out of reach. Practically no one doubts Brennan will eventually be confirmed, but a few key actors and a few key issues remain obstacles for the White House and its nominee. Here's what's in the way:

Benghazi

On Sunday, fellow amigos John McCain and Lindsey Graham took to CBS's Face the Nation to renew their months-long quest for more information on the terrorist attack in Benghazi -- and to threaten delays for Brennan's confirmation. One of the key sticking points has been the altered talking points provided to U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice before she went on a range of Sunday talk shows to discuss the attacks. Last week, the White House provided the senators access to the e-mails discussing the changes in a classified hearing. But Graham and McCain said portions of the e-mails were too heavily redacted. In addition, they also want access to FBI interviews of the survivors. "John and I are hell bent on making sure the American people understand this debacle called Benghazi," said Graham.

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My Comment: C'mon .... the White House never thought that it was going to be that easy?

U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Postponed Until Next Week CIA Nominee Brennan's Confirmation Vote

Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on his nomination to be the Director of the CIA, on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 7, 2013. REUTERS/Jason Reed

A Battle Brews Over CIA Pick -- Wall Street Journal

As the battle over Chuck Hagel's confirmation as defense secretary winds down, another appears to be just heating up: Republicans are threatening to block the nomination of John Brennan to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.

The Senate on Tuesday voted to end a filibuster on Mr. Hagel's nomination, a move that resolved a fight that was partly about Mr. Hagel's qualifications and partly about the administration's handling of foreign-policy issues.

The GOP has used its leverage in the Senate confirmation process to put pressure on the Obama administration and extract information about last year's attack in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead.

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More News Over The Nomination Of CIA Director Nominee John Brennan

Senate panel delays CIA nominee Brennan's confirmation vote -- Reuters
Vote on Brennan for CIA post put off -- Washington Times
Brennan's Intelligence committee vote delayed -- CNN
Committee to vote next week on CIA director -- Politico
Senators Delay Brennan Vote After Seeing Benghazi E-Mails -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Those Missing Drone Memos Are Now John Brennan's Worst Enemy -- Government Executive
Senate committee postpones vote on CIA nominee Brennan -- Global Post
Chambliss: Brennan Involved in Drafting Benghazi Talking Points -- Newsmax
Those Missing Drone Memos Are Now John Brennan's Worst Enemy -- The Atlantic