Pod Force One – PF1 Minisode

Episode: John Brennan and The Dirty 51: Is Justice Finally at His Door?
Date: November 3, 2025
Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post)

Overview

In this incisive minisode, Miranda Devine zooms in on a pivotal and controversial event in recent U.S. political history: the October 2020 “Dirty 51” letter, signed by former intelligence officials, including ex-CIA Director John Brennan. The letter—claiming that the Hunter Biden laptop story had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation”—is dissected for its role in influencing the 2020 election and shaping public perception. The episode centers on a dramatic confrontation between Brennan and whistleblower Thomas Speciali, unpacking the latest developments in calls for accountability, including current DOJ investigations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Significance of the “Dirty 51” Letter

• Devine explains the “Dirty 51”—51 ex-intelligence officials who, just before the 2020 election, publicly cast doubt on the legitimacy of Hunter Biden’s laptop:
  • “These people falsely claimed that Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation. They knew it wasn’t true, which is why they parsed their words so sneakily to give themselves plenty of plausible deniability many years later.” (00:33)
• The FBI had the laptop for close to a year, confirmed its authenticity, and found it admissible in court (Hunter Biden's 2024 trial) (01:10).
• The letter played a central role in suppressing and discrediting the New York Post’s reporting, directly impacting voter knowledge during the critical pre-election period.

John Brennan: From Power to Accountability

• Brennan, “at the centre of some of the most nefarious schemes to sabotage Donald Trump, including … the Dirty 51 letter,” is now facing a DOJ investigation for allegedly lying to Congress (02:00).
• Devine emphasizes Brennan’s continued evasion—until he was publically confronted, for the first time, about signing the letter (02:17).

The Hayden Center Event: A Showdown

• Scene setting: Brennan, joined by Michael Hayden and Larry Pfeiffer (both also signatories), is comfortably ensconced at the Hayden Center at George Mason University (03:00).
• Michael Hayden’s controversial history—NSA warrantless wiretapping, anti-Trump activism, and biting one-liners—further colors the stage (04:10).

The Confrontation: Whistleblower Thomas Speciali

• Thomas Speciali, a decorated Army intelligence officer, stuns the panel and audience with direct questions about the 2017 Intelligence Assessment and the use of the Steele Dossier:
  • Speciali asks: “What was your justification for supporting the dossier that was known to be false, being used as source material in the intelligence assessment from 2017?” (07:11)
• Brennan’s mask slips; he grows agitated and defensive:
  • “I don’t know who put you up to this… but it’s a bunch of bullshit you just passed on. It’s bullshit.” — John Brennan (07:56)
  • Speciali remains calm: “Nobody put me up to this, sir. I’m here on my own.” (08:05)
• An “official off camera” tries to shut Speciali down, repeatedly shrieking “Next!” (08:17).

After the Panel: A Tense Exchange Continues

• At the post-event reception (over a “Stella Artois”), Speciali presses Brennan again about the letter:
  • Brennan snaps: “You misrepresented that,” moving physically closer and poking at Speciali’s chest. “We never said it was disinformation. We said it was Russian influence operations, which is what they do.” (09:10)
  • Brennan ultimately storms off, visibly rattled.

The Lingering Impact of the Letter and its Architects

• Devine details how the letter was orchestrated by the Biden campaign and coordinated as a political tool:
  • Mike Morell, former acting CIA Director, wrote to Brennan that the letter was “a talking point for Biden to use in his final debate against Trump.” Brennan replied he’d be “more than happy to comply and sign it.” (10:20)
  • Politico’s headline “Hunter Biden’s Story is Russian Disinfo. Dozens of former intel officials say” amplified the narrative for the final stretch of the campaign.
• The intended effect was realized: “The letter killed our laptop exclusive. Stone cold dead until after Biden was safely ensconced in the White House.” (12:05)

Closing Reflections

• Miranda Devine provides a pointed conclusion:
  • “Brennan knew exactly what he was doing when he abused the lofty position he held at the top of America’s national security establishment. Having held so much power, he thought he was untouchable. But his unhinged reaction last week … shows that he must be worried that accountability is finally knocking on his door.” (13:05)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the “Dirty 51” Letter’s Language:
  • “We never said it was disinformation. We said it was Russian influence operations, which is what they do.” — John Brennan (09:13)
• On Elite Accountability:
  • “Brennan knew exactly what he was doing when he abused the lofty position he held at the top of America’s national security establishment. Having held so much power, he thought he was untouchable.” — Miranda Devine (13:00)
• Speciali’s Calm Rebuke:
  • “Nobody put me up to this, sir. I’m here on my own.” — Thomas Speciali (08:05)
• On the Event’s Tone:
  • “None of the ex-spooks on stage, with a doting audience laughing at their every snide comment, expected Speciali to prick their bubble.” — Miranda Devine (06:50)
• Hostile Environment:
  • “It’s bullshit, Brennan kept saying. The emails are clear, sir, Speciali replied coolly as an official off camera tried to shut him up by shrieking I’m not kidding 10 times.” (08:11)

Key Timestamps

• 00:33 – Introduction: The stakes of the Dirty 51 letter
• 02:00 – Brennan’s history and current DOJ investigation
• 03:00 – Setting the scene at the Hayden Center
• 04:10 – Michael Hayden’s background and anti-Trump actions
• 07:11 – Speciali’s confrontation with Brennan
• 07:56 – Brennan: “It’s a bunch of bullshit you just passed on”
• 08:17 – Event official repeatedly tries to cut off Speciali
• 09:10 – Post-panel reception: Brennan and Speciali’s heated exchange
• 10:20 – Emails reveal political intent behind the letter
• 12:05 – Impact of the letter on the election
• 13:05 – Devine’s closing remarks on Brennan’s accountability

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is charged, combative, and investigative—true to Miranda Devine’s assertive, journalistic voice.
• It confronts questions of political interference, elite impunity, and the slow grind toward accountability in the intelligence world.
• Listeners are left with a sense of unresolved tension, as well as the promise of ongoing scrutiny—and possible justice—for powerful figures like John Brennan.

For more, tune in Wednesday for a full-length episode with Eric Trump at Mar-a-Lago.