Tulsi Gabbard Withdraws Security Clearances Hampering John Brennan Investigation

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has inadvertently disrupted the Justice Department’s investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan by revoking the security clearances of around 37 current and former intelligence officials, including nearly a dozen key potential witnesses. These witnesses were crucial to prosecuting Brennan, who is accused of manipulating a 2017 intelligence assessment to suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin favored Donald Trump in the 2016 election and later lying to Congress. Gabbard's decision, made without notifying the DOJ or David Metcalf—the federal prosecutor leading the case—has complicated the prosecution by restricting access to classified information and potentially undermining witness cooperation. Trump and his administration accuse Brennan and other Obama-era officials of a “years-long coup” against Trump, with the investigation aiming to expose this alleged conspiracy. Critics within the administration describe Gabbard’s move as a self-inflicted wound or an “own goal,” suggesting it was poorly coordinated and more of a public relations gesture than a strategic legal step. Despite this setback, some officials argue that witnesses can still testify based on their existing knowledge, though the overall investigation faces significant hurdles.