Former CIA Director John Brennan just made a bold legal move that could shake up the Donald Trump administration’s investigation playbook. The longtime intelligence chief filed a lawsuit demanding the preservation of key government records tied to a DOJ probe targeting him.
John Brennan sues Donald Trump administration over DOJ investigation
Former CIA Director John Brennan filed a lawsuit in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, CNN reported. He demands the Trump administration preserve records related to its Justice Department investigation into him. Brennan alleges the administration is vindictively trying to prosecute him.
The lawsuit asks a federal judge to order key officials to preserve their records. Those officials include President Donald Trump and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Miami prosecutors, and intelligence community chiefs also face the order.
Brennan’s lawyers wrote that administration officials have publicly declared him a criminal. They stated this happened “before securing a conviction in court but even before a full investigation and an indictment.” His legal team also alleged, “certain officials in the Department of Justice are engaging in demonstrably irregular prosecutorial activity.”
Additionally, his attorneys wrote that “officials of this Administration have shown an advertent disdain for their preservation obligations.” The lawsuit also seeks preservation of records into any broader “grand conspiracy” investigation the Justice Department may pursue.
Brennan spoke in an MS NOW interview Wednesday afternoon about his motivations. He stated he told his lawyers he does not want to “sit on our hands.” He added that if Trump “gets away with me, he’s going to continue to do this against others.”
Brennan further said the lawsuit “sends a clear signal that I’m willing to fight this on behalf of my reputation.” He also emphasized fighting “on behalf of so many others who are either currently in those crosshairs.”
The Southern District of Florida US attorney’s office has recently strengthened its prosecutorial team. CNN reported this week that former Justice Department official John Yoo would consult on a related case. Brennan’s attorneys previously confirmed a prosecutor told them he was a target of investigations. Those investigations include a grand jury inquiry and a probe into whether Brennan lied to Congress. Brennan maintains he has done nothing wrong.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
