President Donald Trump weighed in Wednesday on reports that former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey are under criminal investigation for alleged misconduct tied to the Trump–Russia probe.
The remarks came during a White House meeting with African leaders, when Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Trump directly if he wanted to see Brennan and Comey “behind bars.” Trump responded cautiously but made his disdain for both men clear.
"Well, I know nothing about it other than what I read today," Trump said. "But I will tell you, I think they're very dishonest people. I think they're crooked as hell. And, maybe they have to pay a price for that."
Justice Department sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred evidence involving Brennan to FBI Director Kash Patel for possible prosecution. A criminal investigation into Brennan is reportedly underway, though details remain limited.
Former FBI Director James Comey is also under investigation, according to DOJ sources, but the specific focus remains unclear. However, sources close to the matter described Brennan and Comey's actions as potentially part of a broader “conspiracy,” which could significantly widen the scope of any legal proceedings.
The Brennan probe follows the declassification of a “lessons learned” review of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment. That report found procedural lapses and claimed the inclusion of the Steele dossier went against proper intelligence practices, undermining key conclusions.
The now-discredited Steele dossier, funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the DNC, played a major role in shaping early media coverage and fueled suspicions of Trump’s ties to Russia. Trump has long blasted it as a partisan smear that sparked a baseless witch hunt.
Trump accused Brennan and Comey of deliberately politicizing intelligence to damage his presidency. He has repeatedly referred to the probe into his campaign as a "hoax" and claimed it hurt America's relationship with Russia.
The fallout from the Russia investigation prompted the appointment of Special Counsel John Durham, who uncovered multiple FBI missteps but stopped short of charging leadership figures. Meanwhile, Trump recently reignited controversy by accusing Comey of inciting violence with a cryptic social media post—one the former FBI director later deleted.