John Ratcliffe has officially taken over as CIA director following his confirmation and swearing-in by Vice President JD Vance. In his first interview since assuming the role, Ratcliffe did not hold back in his criticism of former CIA Director John Brennan, calling his time at the agency a significant setback that damaged its credibility and integrity.
Ratcliffe expressed concerns about Brennan’s involvement in political activities that, he believes, compromised national security. He pointed to Brennan’s role in promoting the false narrative that Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, an assertion made by several intelligence officials in a widely publicized letter just before the 2020 election.
In addition to the laptop controversy, Ratcliffe highlighted the intelligence community’s failures during the 2016 election cycle. He referenced declassified information that showed officials were aware of the Clinton campaign’s involvement in funding the Steele Dossier, yet intelligence agencies still pursued investigations based on its claims.
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
Trump recently revoked the security clearances of Brennan and several others who signed the misleading letter regarding the Biden laptop. Ratcliffe supported this decision, stating that those who misused their positions for political purposes should no longer have access to sensitive information.
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
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
Moving forward, Ratcliffe intends to implement changes aimed at strengthening the agency’s operational effectiveness while ensuring transparency and accountability to the American people.
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
https://twitterx.com/mollie_don/status/1882677680782643469
