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Recent media reports have surfaced alleging that former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan could be under criminal investigation for potentially providing false testimony to Congress related to their involvement with the controversial Steele dossier. However, it is important to note that these claims have not been independently verified and should be viewed as allegations at this stage.
The Steele dossier, compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, alleged that then-candidate Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign had ties to Russia. The dossier became a significant point of contention in U.S. politics and intelligence investigations, particularly due to questions about its credibility and use in official assessments.
On July 9, 2025, George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley appeared on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” to comment on the possibility that Comey’s 2020 Senate testimony might amount to perjury. Turley suggested that much of Comey’s testimony — particularly regarding his knowledge of flaws in the Steele dossier — appeared to contradict findings from Inspector General reports that criticized the FBI’s handling of the dossier and related counterintelligence protocols.
Turley remarked that Comey and Brennan were “very careful” in their wording during congressional testimony, potentially attempting to avoid outright falsehoods while downplaying mistakes or omissions. He further noted that the investigation could consider whether their careful language still crossed the legal threshold for perjury, which requires knowingly making false statements under oath.
Fox News Digital also reported that sources indicate an ongoing probe into both Comey and Brennan, describing it as a criminal investigation focused on alleged false testimony about their roles in promoting the dossier. According to these reports, investigators are scrutinizing a 2016 email from the then-deputy CIA director, which warned Brennan that including the dossier in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) could damage the report’s credibility. Despite this warning, Brennan testified in May 2023 that the CIA had opposed including the dossier in the ICA and that it was meant to be a separate document.
Laura Ingraham, host of the Fox News program where Turley appeared, replayed clips of Comey’s Senate testimony and labeled parts of his responses as “dismissive.” Turley echoed that sentiment, saying, “Virtually everything he said was untrue,” referencing the Inspector General’s criticism of the FBI’s protocols and use of the dossier.
It should be emphasized that while these claims are being discussed publicly and media outlets report on potential investigations, no formal charges have been announced against either Comey or Brennan. Legal experts often note that investigations involving perjury are complex and require strong evidence to prove knowingly false statements were made under oath.
Both Comey and Brennan have previously defended their actions related to the dossier and intelligence assessments, maintaining their professionalism and intent in congressional testimony.
In summary, while allegations of perjury and criminal investigations involving two high-profile intelligence figures are attracting attention, readers should approach these reports with caution until official confirmations or legal outcomes emerge. As with many politically sensitive matters, media narratives can be highly polarized, and the full facts may take time to be disclosed.
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