
Newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe wasted no time in criticizing the agency’s past leadership, calling former CIA Director John Brennan’s tenure “one of the worst things” to happen to the organization. Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence during President Donald Trump’s first term, took aim at Brennan’s role in politicizing intelligence work under the Obama administration.
Speaking shortly after his confirmation and swearing-in by Vice President JD Vance, Ratcliffe pointed to Brennan’s involvement in misleading the public about the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. Brennan, along with other intelligence officials, signed a letter dismissing the laptop as Russian disinformation, a claim that was later debunked and used as evidence in federal investigations.
Ratcliffe accused Brennan and other intelligence figures of prioritizing politics over national security, highlighting how intelligence agencies misused their authority during the 2016 election cycle. He pointed to the FBI’s surveillance of Trump’s campaign and the reliance on faulty intelligence to justify investigations into so-called Russian collusion.
I like this man more already!
Ratcliffe said Brennan was one of the worst things that ever happened to the CIA.Do you agree with him? (I do!) 😀 pic.twitter.com/i6QxblQGlP
— Croxxed Out (@FLCons) January 23, 2025
The new CIA director emphasized his commitment to refocusing the agency on its original mission — protecting national security. He criticized Brennan’s efforts to shift priorities toward political and social initiatives, which Ratcliffe believes weakened the agency’s ability to carry out its core responsibilities effectively.
Former Obama CIA director John Brennan says Tulsi Gabbard "doesn't have the right perspective" to be Director of National Intelligence.
So let's remind people:
-John Brennan voted for the Communist presidential candidate when in college.
-John Brennan lied under oath to the… pic.twitter.com/xKHfeVIMUq— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 14, 2024
Trump recently took action to revoke the security clearances of Brennan and several other former intelligence officials, a move Ratcliffe fully supports. He stated that those individuals should no longer have access to classified information after using their positions to advance political narratives.
Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff John Brennan running to Jake Tapper – slams Trump’s CIA Director John Ratcliffe for releasing documents CONFIRMING he briefed Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Susan Lice, James Comey on Hillary’s Russia Collusion Hoax:
pic.twitter.com/TeKTjg2bOo— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) January 22, 2025
Looking ahead, Ratcliffe said his focus will be on intelligence gathering, covert operations, and protecting national interests without political interference.
This is a SEPT 29, 2020 Letter from Ratcliffe to Lindsey Graham regarding Brennan, Hillary, and Comey discussing stirring up Russian disinformation focused on Pres Trump to distract from Hillary server. Barr knew about the Russia collusion b.s. while Pres Trump ran for office the… pic.twitter.com/QqCNETz7lr
— Futurist™ (@americasgreat) January 22, 2025
CIA Director, John Ratcliffe’s goal is “restoring the world's most preeminent intelligence agency to its core primary objectives”.
John Brennan created a huge mess that Ratcliffe will have to clean up.
🔗 to article in comments pic.twitter.com/RgFUT4uvdO
— ❥❥❥ᗰoᒪᒪie❥❥❥ (@mollie_don) January 24, 2025