John Ratcliffe has officially taken the reins as CIA director following his swift Senate confirmation and swearing-in by Vice President JD Vance. Ratcliffe wasted no time in addressing what he sees as deep-rooted problems within the agency, singling out former CIA Director John Brennan as a major source of dysfunction and political bias.
In his first interview since assuming leadership, Ratcliffe described Brennan’s tenure as “one of the worst things” to happen to the intelligence agency. He accused Brennan of transforming the CIA into a tool for political agendas, particularly during the Obama administration, and pointed to his role in promoting the now-debunked claim that Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation.
Ratcliffe criticized the influence of Brennan and other former intelligence officials, stating their actions undermined trust in the agency and fueled skepticism among the American public. He cited the FBI’s use of intelligence authorities to target the Trump campaign in 2016 as an example of abuse that damaged the nation’s confidence in its institutions.
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 other former officials who signed a letter dismissing the legitimacy of the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. Ratcliffe stood by the decision, arguing that those individuals used their positions to mislead the public and interfere in political affairs.
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
The new CIA director emphasized his commitment to refocusing the agency on its core mission—gathering intelligence and protecting national security. He pledged to remove political influences and restore the agency’s credibility, warning that recent intelligence failures were a direct result of years of politicization.
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
Ratcliffe also expressed concerns over Brennan’s previous political affiliations, noting his past support for a Communist Party candidate and questioning how someone with such views was entrusted with leading the nation’s top intelligence agency.
