President Donald Trump recently threw his support behind Justice Department investigations targeting former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan, describing them as “crooked as h*ll.” The comments came in response to a question from Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, who asked if Trump wanted the two men behind bars.
“I know nothing about it, other than what I read today, but I will tell you, I think they’re very dishonest people. I think they’re crooked as h*ll, and maybe they have to pay a price for that,” Trump said, adding, “I believe they are truly bad people and dishonest people. So whatever happens, happens.”
Allegations Tied to the Russia Probe
The probes appear to focus on issues tied to the contentious Russia investigation that loomed over much of Trump’s first term. Brennan, who served as CIA director under President Barack Obama, is reportedly being investigated for allegedly misleading Congress in May 2023 about the Steele dossier, a document containing unverified claims connecting Trump to Russia.
Brennan told lawmakers that “the CIA was very much opposed to having any reference or inclusion of the Steele dossier” in a significant intelligence report. However, recently disclosed communications from December 2016 show Brennan had actually supported its inclusion, stating, “I believe that the information warrants inclusion” in an assessment alleging Moscow interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump.
Comey’s Legal Challenges
Comey’s investigation also seems connected to the Russia probe, which dominated headlines during Trump’s first term but concluded with no evidence of collusion between Trump’s campaign and Moscow. If the allegations against Comey involve lying to Congress, there could be a legal snag due to the five-year statute of limitations for such charges, unless prosecutors pursue alternative charges like conspiracy to address older alleged offenses.
Republicans previously accused Comey of giving false testimony in 2017, and he testified again before Congress in September 2020, though it’s unclear what specific falsehoods from that session might be under scrutiny.
Further complicating matters, Comey was questioned by the Secret Service in May after posting an image of seashells arranged to spell “8647,” interpreted by many as a veiled threat against Trump.
Trump fired Comey in May 2017, over tensions over the Russia investigation. But it’s alleged he fired Comey for his handling of information about Hillary Clinton before the 2016 election
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also endorsed the investigations, labeling Comey and Brennan “disgraceful individuals” who may have misled Congress. Both men, outspoken critics of Trump, could face up to five years in prison if convicted of lying to Congress, though such charges are rarely pursued alone.
A Pattern of High-Profile Investigations
The investigations signal an assertive stance by Trump’s second administration, which has also launched probes into New York Attorney General Tish James for alleged mortgage fraud and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for reportedly misleading Congress about a coverup of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.
These efforts follow Trump’s own legal battles, having faced four criminal cases before returning to the presidency.
In a notable precedent, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper faced no charges during Trump’s first term despite bipartisan criticism for falsely claiming U.S. spy agencies were “not wittingly” conducting widespread domestic surveillance. Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions let the deadline to prosecute Clapper lapse in March 2018.
The Fairview Gazette will keep you updated on this ongoing investigation.
