Shannon Bream on Brennan, Clapper, and the Russia Investigation Narrative

Shifting Narratives on Russian Interference

• 🎯 John Brennan and James Clapper are criticized for their current narrative, which contrasts with their previous statements regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
• 💡 The current focus on whether Russia was successful in influencing votes is seen as a distraction, as the core issue was their attempt to interfere.
• 🔍 Brennan and Clapper claim the Trump administration perpetuates a fictitious narrative that Russia did not interfere, while they themselves are accused of distorting intelligence.

The Steele Dossier Controversy

• 📄 A 2020 assessment from the House Intel Committee reportedly contradicts the CIA director regarding the use of the Steele dossier.
• ⚠️ Two senior CIA officials reportedly disagreed with then-Director Brennan about the dossier's reliability, but Brennan allegedly pushed for its inclusion, stating it "rings true."
• 🗣️ Brennan and Clapper, in a New York Times op-ed, deny relying on the dossier and call claims that they did false, a stance contradicted by the House Intel Committee assessment.

Collusion Allegations and Senate Report Findings

• 🚫 A key point seemingly omitted from Brennan and Clapper's current narrative is their past argument that Trump colluded with Russia.
• ✅ The bipartisan Senate Intel Committee report, signed off by Marco Rubio, found no evidence of collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and the Russian government.
• 📈 The same Senate report highlighted "sketchy behavior" by the FBI in their reliance on the Steele dossier.

Intelligence Briefings and Information Handling

• ❓ It is noted that a defensive briefing was not provided to candidate Trump at the time, which could have allowed him to rebut allegations.
• 🧩 Information was allegedly left out of assessments, including a statement from a Putin confidant indicating no preference in the election, potentially hindering opportunities for rebuttal.