WASHINGTON — Former CIA Director John Brennan is drawing sharp backlash after stating during an MSNBC interview that a “legion of professionals” inside the Department of Justice, CIA, and other federal agencies are resisting what he described as politically motivated actions by the Trump administration.
Brennan made the comments Monday while discussing President Donald Trump’s influence over federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies during an appearance on MSNBC’s “MS NOW.”
“There’s still a legion of professionals in the law enforcement environment, the Department of Justice, as well as the CIA and other places — the ones who are refusing to follow politically motivated prosecutions,” Brennan said during the interview.
The former CIA chief also said those individuals were “refusing to support any type of political activities on the part of the Trump administration that are inconsistent with the authorities” of intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
The comments immediately ignited criticism from conservatives and Trump supporters who argued Brennan appeared to openly acknowledge internal resistance within federal agencies against a sitting president’s agenda.
Supporters of Trump pointed to Brennan’s remarks as confirmation that entrenched bureaucratic and intelligence officials continue working against the administration from inside federal institutions often accused by conservatives of operating as a “deep state.”
Brennan, however, framed the resistance as career officials protecting the rule of law and refusing to participate in actions they believe violate professional or constitutional standards.
The comments come as Brennan remains under scrutiny tied to ongoing Justice Department investigations surrounding the origins of the Trump-Russia probe and intelligence assessments related to the 2016 election. Federal investigators have reportedly questioned current and former CIA officials regarding Brennan’s role in the 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian election interference.
Brennan has denied wrongdoing and previously criticized the investigations as politically motivated.
The latest controversy adds fuel to years-long political battles over allegations that unelected officials inside federal agencies have worked to undermine Trump both during and after his presidency.
Trump and his allies have repeatedly accused elements within the FBI, DOJ, and intelligence community of targeting conservatives and weaponizing federal institutions for political purposes — accusations denied by many former intelligence and law enforcement officials.
Brennan served as CIA director under former President Barack Obama and has remained one of Trump’s most vocal critics since leaving office.
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