John Brennan sues DOJ to preserve probe records

newsJul 3, 2026183,662

Former CIA Director John O. Brennan filed a federal lawsuit asking a District of Columbia court to order the Justice Department to preserve documents and communications tied to a grand jury probe in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint names Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, the Director of the CIA, the Director of National Intelligence, the U.S. Attorney in Southern Florida, former President Donald Trump, and others as defendants. Brennan says he is a likely target for indictment and seeks preserved records he will need to establish any prosecution is vindictive and should be dismissed on that basis. The complaint quotes Judge Boasberg’s observation that this Administration has used criminal process against perceived adversaries and frames the Florida probe as part of an effort to punish officials involved in investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Brennan describes his public service of more than 33 years, including serving as CIA Director from March 8, 2013, to January 20, 2017, and challenges what he calls a loosely defined “grand conspiracy” theory underlying the investigations. Brennan asked the court to prevent destruction of evidence so he can mount a vindictive-prosecution defense if indicted.

Joyce White Vance

@joycewhitevance.bsky.social

John Brennan didn't wait to get indicted. He sued first—to force the government to preserve records he'll need to defend himself. The complaint alleges judge shopping, forum shopping & a direct presidential demand for indictment. Worth your full attention. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...

24634h ago

J6 Plaque36

Now that’s how you DO IT

John Novio18

Brennan is a smart man, he takes the fight to them. There is very good chance he has way better lawyers than the DOJ's.

Snarky Panda17

the DOJ keeps picking fights they're not prepared for

Tim Murphy16

Trump and Consigliere Blanche went after the wrong guy in John Brennan. #FAFO

Paul in Raleigh philologon.bsky.social15

For the un-lawyered among us (including me), this is basically taking the initiative, right? And is it a pattern that could be repeated by others, especially if there are bad acts like lawyer shopping going on?

𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕪 𝕞𝕪𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗12

I’m looking forward to your analysis as this unfolds. Am I right that DOJ is barking up the wrong tree with Brennan? He seems very shrewd. 🙂

Quoting this

Swiffy3

Fantastic analysis of a bold move by Brennan to make the first move as Trump's corrupt DOJ as it targets him in Judge Cannon's mini district. It highlights how outrageous this DOJ activity is and demands all records about what they are up to be preserved for his defense

halfmarshall.bsky.social2

The Constitution guarantees a right to be tried in the district where the crime was allegedly committed. This provision was a response to King George III putting American leaders on trial in London. This is why Jack Smith indicted Trump in Florida, and how the case wound up in Cannon's court.

Megaholt 𓅃2

He’s doing the intelligent thing, which is a good move on his end: force their hand, catch them unprepared and off guard, and make sure they can’t rig the case.

Kyle Griffin

@kylegriffin1.bsky.social

John Brennan to MS NOW: "I told my lawyers I don't want to sit on our hands — because if he gets away with me, he's going to continue to do this against other individuals." "That's why enough is enough and that's why today's lawsuit, I think, sends a clear signal that I'm willing to fight."

996Yesterday

debbiefr.bsky.social11

And we all know these clowns are really just scared little children/bullies. Once someone stands up to them … they fold like a cheap suit. Way to go on the offense with this, Dir. Brennan!! ✊

Shannon Rich10

Please more John Brennans. Force him and his corrupt DOJ into court and bring it into the light. Please more Gov Pritzker’s saying he has dementia outloud on TV. Say it - say this mfer has dementia - make it obvious why he won’t sue you. Let’s do this. For the love of America. Please.

@KeepItBlueDems.bsky.social9

Stand your ground, Mark Brennan. Trump us a weakling Treasonous, Rapist, Pedophile who is a Convicted Felon.

Trump/GOP corruption threatens the world8

Got a place where we can contribute to his defense?

youvotedforthis2.bsky.social5

I'm so glad he can afford to bring this suit to help all of us. The average person cannot afford it, whether they did anything wrong or not.

jsbooth.bsky.social4

More of this please. Everyone knows you need to punch back when a bully shows up otherwise they’ll never stop

Quoting this

debbiefr.bsky.social2

We all know how bullies respond to someone who stands up them … they run away. ✊ Dir. Brennan! Way to go on the offense!

Blue Dot in Red State

@bluedotin.bsky.social

(WSJ) Stunning and right on the money. Former CIA Director has now taken on a lawsuit against the DOJ, TRUMP, etc., to preserve any paperwork that they have that Trump says proves Brennan to be guilty. This is one of FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY People & Orgs, Trump is after. www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...

43Yesterday

Betty C. Jung

@bettycjung.bsky.social

Ex-CIA Director John Brennan seeks court order requiring records from investigations be preserved apnews.com/article/bren...

23Yesterday

migas7.bsky.social

@migas7.bsky.social

Former CIA Director John Brennan Sues Trump Over Shoddy Revenge Probe newrepublic.com/post/212626/... via @newrepublic.com

14Yesterday

Lee West

@whodat35.bsky.social

Former CIA Director John Brennan sues Trump administration to preserve records from investigations into him Brennan said in the lawsuit that the records would be essential for him to mount a defense on vindictive prosecution grounds in the event of a future indictment. | NBC

10Yesterday

Ms. Misanthrope 🇺🇸

@lilmsmisanthrope.bsky.social

Former CIA Director John Brennan sued the Trump administration to preserve records from two federal investigations he calls "phantom criminal conduct." Brennan: "If he gets away with me, he is going to continue to do this against others." The lawsuit names Trump, Blanche, Patel, and Ratcliffe.

1718h ago

Courthouse News

@courthousenews.bsky.social

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, John Brennan slammed two Department of Justice criminal probes into him as clearly vindictive prosecution and the result of years of animosity between the former CIA director and President Donald Trump. www.courthousenews.com/former-cia-d...

13Yesterday

Faytuks Network

@faytuksnetwork.bsky.social

Former CIA Director John Brennan has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking a court order to compel officials to preserve all records related to ongoing criminal investigations targeting him - AP

17Yesterday

LadyCat311 🇺🇲

@coffeecat311.bsky.social

MS NOW EXCLUSIVE: Former CIA Director John Brennan targeted by Trump SPEAKS OUT after SUING Trump and DOJ 19h Ago His lawsuit against Donald Trump and the Justice Department, asking a judge to force the department to preserve its records youtu.be/5qPLu4w4d0U?...

713h ago

WatchYourRepsSC&TN

@watchyourrepssc.bsky.social

Former CIA Director John Brennan Takes on Trump's DOJ open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...

154h ago

MS NOW Public Relations

@msnowcomms.bsky.social

MS NOW EXCLUSIVE: Tonight, @nicollewallace.bsky.social will sit down with former CIA Director and MS NOW Sr. National Security and Intelligence Analyst John Brennan to discuss his federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice. Tune-in tonight on @deadlinewh.bsky.social at 4 p.m. ET on @ms.now.

9Yesterday

Boehlert Media Busters

@mediabusters6.bsky.social

Can someone explain why anyone in TX would vote for this slimy POS much less sleep with him? 1- www.news10.com/news/nationa... 2- open.substack.com/pub/muellers... 3- "John Brennan sues to force Trump DOJ to preserve evidence of vindictive prosecution" open.substack.com/pub/allrisen...