WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan says the Justice Department’s review is moving forward as prosecutors gather classified records and consider possible charges tied to the 2016 Russia election interference assessment.
The Justice Department is intensifying its investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan. As a result, new attention has turned to long-running concerns about how the Trump-Russia investigation began.
Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, recently told reporters the case is “heating up.” At the same time, federal prosecutors asked for classified congressional records, and the House Intelligence Committee voted this week to provide them.
That step follows the House Judiciary Committee’s referral of Brennan to the DOJ last October for possible criminal prosecution. The main issue is whether Brennan gave false statements to Congress about how the CIA used the Steele dossier in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, or ICA, on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Background: Why John Brennan Is Facing Scrutiny
John Brennan led the CIA from 2013 to 2017 during the Obama administration. During that time, he helped shape the intelligence community’s response to claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
For years, critics, especially Republicans, have argued that the Russia investigation leaned too much on unverified opposition research paid for by Hillary Clinton’s campaign. They say Brennan pushed to include the Steele dossier in official intelligence work, even though some officials raised concerns.
In 2023, Brennan appeared before the House Judiciary Committee. During that testimony, he denied that the CIA had relied heavily on the dossier when preparing the 2017 ICA. House Republicans say records from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, along with CIA documents, conflict with what he told lawmakers.
In an October 2025 referral letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Jordan accused Brennan of knowingly making false statements that were willful and intentional. The letter also cited what Republicans say are direct conflicts with declassified records.
Latest Move: Classified Records Sent to DOJ Prosecutors
Just days ago, on March 24 or 25, 2026, the House Intelligence Committee voted in a closed session to send classified hearing transcripts tied to Brennan to the Justice Department. Prosecutors had asked for those materials directly.
Those transcripts include interviews connected to Brennan and the 2017 ICA. They remain classified, so the public will not see them for now. Still, the handoff suggests federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida are building their case and may be getting closer to a charging decision.
Jordan described the move as a clear sign the investigation is moving ahead. He also discussed the matter on Fox News programs, including Hannity and Varney & Co., where he said accountability may finally be near.
Prosecutors have already sent out several rounds of subpoenas. Witnesses include former government officials tied to the 2016 and 2017 Russia assessments. Reports also say Brennan has been told he is a target of the grand jury investigation.
The House Judiciary Committee’s Role
The House Judiciary Committee has played a major part in this effort. Under Jordan, the panel has closely examined how the Trump-Russia investigation started.
Key steps include:
- October 2025 criminal referral: Jordan formally referred Brennan to the DOJ, citing false statements in his 2023 testimony and in earlier 2017 appearances.
- Review of intelligence records: The committee examined declassified documents that Republicans say show intelligence conclusions were shaped improperly.
- Public comments: Jordan has repeatedly raised the issue in national media and described it as a serious accountability matter for senior intelligence officials.
Republicans on the committee say the case is about rebuilding trust in public institutions, not settling political scores. They also point to a declassified CIA tradecraft review, ordered by current CIA Director John Ratcliffe, that criticized Brennan’s handling of the 2017 assessment.
Democrats see it differently. They argue the case reflects selective prosecution aimed at people viewed as political opponents of Trump. They also say the core finding, that Russia interfered in the election, still stands even if some sources were weak.
What the Allegations Focus On
The investigation centers on two main issues:
- False statements to Congress: Did Brennan lie under oath about how much the CIA relied on the Steele dossier when preparing the 2017 ICA?
- Handling of intelligence: Did Brennan push the assessment to highlight Russian efforts to help Donald Trump, despite internal doubts or competing evidence?
A declassified Republican report from the House Intelligence Committee, released last year, claimed Brennan ordered changes to the assessment in late 2016. Prosecutors are now reviewing testimony and internal records to see whether his public statements line up with the private record.
Brennan’s legal team has pushed back. In a December 2025 letter, his lawyers raised concerns about possible judge-shopping and leaks. They asked a federal judge in Florida to block any effort to steer the case to a judge they believe would be favorable to Trump.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2016-2017: The CIA under Brennan helps prepare the ICA on Russian election interference.
- May 2023: Brennan testifies before the House Judiciary Committee.
- July 2025: The DOJ opens criminal investigations into Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey.
- October 2025: The House Judiciary Committee refers Brennan to the DOJ for prosecution.
- Late 2025: Prosecutors issue subpoenas, and Brennan is reportedly told he is a target.
- February-March 2026: More subpoenas are issued, and reports describe added pressure on Miami prosecutors.
- March 24 or 25, 2026: The House Intelligence Committee votes to send classified transcripts to the DOJ.
Taken together, the timeline shows a case that has built steadily over many months.
What the Case Could Mean
If prosecutors file charges, the case could become a major test of how far the DOJ can go when investigating former top intelligence officials for statements made years earlier. It would also reopen a heated national fight over the legitimacy of the Russia investigation.
Supporters of the probe say no public official is above the law. They argue that misleading Congress weakens oversight and damages trust. Critics, however, warn that the case could set a troubling standard and make intelligence officials more cautious in future national security work. They also say it may look politically driven.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Justice Department has also faced questions about the pace and priorities of accountability efforts tied to Trump-era disputes. Some reports suggest officials are under internal pressure to produce results after other high-profile cases slowed down.
Brennan, now 70, remains one of Trump’s most outspoken critics. He has continued to appear on cable news and write opinion pieces defending the original Russia findings.
What Happens Next
Prosecutors in Florida are now reviewing the newly obtained classified transcripts along with other subpoenaed records. A decision on whether to seek an indictment could come within weeks or months.
Meanwhile, the House Judiciary Committee is still watching the case closely. Jordan has made clear that he expects more developments and says he wants accountability.
Legal experts say proving willful false statements is not simple because prosecutors must show intent. On top of that, the classified nature of much of the evidence could make any trial harder to manage.
For now, the expanding DOJ investigation keeps Brennan at the center of a major political and legal fight. It also raises fresh questions about one of the most divisive episodes in recent American politics.
This story is still developing. More updates may follow on possible charges, added congressional action, or responses from Brennan’s legal team.
