Former CIA Director Brennan Sues, Demands Justice Department Preserve Investigation Records

(Central News Agency, Washington, April 1 - Reuters) Former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan filed a lawsuit today seeking to compel the U.S. Department of Justice to preserve relevant investigation records. These federal investigations are examining his role in an intelligence assessment that claimed Russia had aided Donald Trump's campaign in 2016.

According to reports from Reuters and the Associated Press, Brennan's lawyers argued in a complaint filed in federal court in Washington that these records and communications are crucial for legal challenges Brennan anticipates, and could be used to support claims that any future prosecution would be retaliatory and at the behest of Trump.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami has been investigating whether Brennan made false statements to Congress when discussing this intelligence assessment. Brennan led the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the administration of former Democratic President Barack Obama.

The investigation is also part of a broader criminal conspiracy probe aimed at infringing on Trump's constitutional rights.

Brennan has called the investigation politically motivated, and his lawyers have accused the Trump administration of improper conduct in the investigation.

Trump has long criticized efforts to link his 2016 campaign to Russia, calling it the "Russia Hoax" and demanding the prosecution of officials involved.

A Justice Department spokesperson said, "While we cannot comment on the existence of an investigation, it is indeed ironic that Brennan accuses others of launching a "retaliatory action."

The lawsuit attempts to leverage growing skepticism from courts, as judges question the Justice Department's deliberate investigation of Trump's critics and political opponents.

Judges have quashed subpoenas this year in investigations involving former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Democratic officials in Minnesota, indicating a growing willingness to intervene early in investigations.

Brennan's lawsuit argues that the Justice Department's internal records and communications are at risk of being lost due to the Trump administration's use of instant messaging applications like Signal and officials' failure to comply with federal record-keeping laws.

Lawyers argue that this data is essential for Brennan to seek dismissal of charges in the future. The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the Justice Department to preserve a broad range of data related to these two investigations before any charges are filed.

The complaint states, "A thorough review of prosecutors' emails, text messages, instant messages, internal memos, and other communications will enable the court to determine whether their decisions were based on legitimate law enforcement considerations or on an intent to selectively or retaliatorily prosecute Director Brennan." (Compiled by Li Pei-shan) 1150702

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