Jordan Refers Brennan to DOJ Over Steele Dossier

On Oct. 21 House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Jim Jordan formally referred former CIA Director John Brennan to the Justice Department, alleging Brennan "knowingly made false statements" during his May 2023 testimony about the CIA's role with the Steele dossier. Jordan's referral cites newly declassified documents and a declassified House Intelligence report that he says contradict Brennan's denials and show he pushed to include dossier material in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment. Brennan, now an NBC/MSNBC commentator, has denied wrongdoing, while Republicans framed the move as holding Obama-era officials accountable and critics called it a continuation of efforts to target Trump-era critics. Observers note congressional criminal referrals historically carry limited weight with prosecutors; Jordan's referral was sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, and reports indicate the FBI has received related referrals and the Justice Department was asked for a prompt review. Whether the referral leads to charges remains uncertain.