Podcast Summary: John Brennan, Former CIA Director, on Being Targeted by Trump

Podcast Information:

• Title: The New Yorker Radio Hour
• Host: David Remnick
• Episode: John Brennan, Former C.I.A. Director, on Being Targeted by Trump
• Release Date: August 1, 2025

1. Introduction to John Brennan's Career and Controversies

David Remnick opens the episode by outlining John Brennan's extensive career with the CIA, highlighting his roles under Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and his tenure as CIA Director. Key controversies during his directorship include the drone program and the Steele dossier related to Donald Trump.

Notable Quote:

• John Brennan (00:35): "We first went through Russia, Russia, Russia. It was all bullshit."

2. Revocation of Security Clearance and Legal Investigations

Remnick discusses the aftermath of the CIA's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, leading to Trump's revocation of Brennan's security clearance. The conversation touches on the renewed criminal investigations into Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey by Trump's Justice Department.

Notable Quotes:

• David Remnick (00:43): "Trump revoked John Brennan's security clearance."
• John Brennan (01:29): "I think they're very dishonest people. I think they're crooked as hell, and maybe they have to pay a price for that."

3. Brennan's Personal and Professional Impact

Brennan shares his experiences of being targeted, including the loss of professional affiliations and reputational harm. He expresses confidence in the integrity of his actions and the CIA's handling of the 2016 intelligence assessments.

Notable Quotes:

• John Brennan (02:15): "I'm an intel officer."
• John Brennan (03:40): "I think what we did was appropriate, consistent with our authorities."

4. The 2016 Election Interference Assessment

The discussion delves into the CIA's assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Brennan defends the thoroughness and timing of the report, emphasizing the need to avoid influencing the election outcome.

Notable Quotes:

• John Brennan (06:12): "We took great steps, extraordinary procedures, to try to protect a lot of this information and not have damaging reports released before the election."
• David Remnick (05:42): "The report was quite a damning report to Trump and the people around him."

5. Political Motivations Behind the Investigations

Brennan speculates on the political motivations driving the renewed investigations into him and Comey, suggesting they are attempts to mobilize Trump's base by portraying the "deep state" as a real issue.

Notable Quotes:

• John Brennan (10:17): "I think the motivation is more politically motivated than substantively grounded."
• John Brennan (10:17): "They lie, you cheat, you misrepresent, you push out disinformation... everything possible that's going to vanquish your enemies."

6. Critique of the Trump Administration's Tactics

Brennan criticizes the Trump administration's strategies, comparing them to the political theories of Carl Schmitt that were foundational to the Nazi Party. He expresses concern over the administration's disregard for ethics in pursuit of political victories.

Notable Quotes:

• John Brennan (10:17): "They lie, you cheat, you misrepresent, you push out disinformation... everything possible because especially liberal progressives are not going to reply in kind."

7. The United States' Relationship with Israeli Intelligence and Recent Conflicts

The conversation shifts to international relations, particularly the U.S.'s intelligence cooperation with Israel. Brennan expresses deep concern over recent military actions in Gaza, criticizing the disproportionate use of force and the humanitarian crisis resulting from these actions.

Notable Quotes:

• John Brennan (18:07): "The intentional killing of civilians... is wholly inconsistent with the laws of war."
• John Brennan (20:17): "They are U.S. weapons systems... the starvation and choking off of humanitarian assistance is exceptionally awful."

8. Future Geopolitical Threats and Intelligence Focus

Brennan outlines potential future threats, including the volatile situation in Ukraine and the strategic maneuvers of global leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. He criticizes the current intelligence focus on outdated investigations, suggesting that critical emerging threats may be overlooked.

Notable Quotes:

• John Brennan (24:51): "There are a lot of things that are going on in the world that I think are going to be challenging the United States and our interests."
• John Brennan (25:00): "Intelligence chiefs are focusing on an eight-year-old document and conspiracy theories."

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with Remnick summarizing Brennan's insights into the intertwining of intelligence, politics, and global threats. Brennan emphasizes the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and the need for informed and ethical leadership.

Notable Quote:

• John Brennan (26:28): "Thank you, David. I enjoyed it."

Key Takeaways:

• Integrity of Intelligence Work: Brennan defends the CIA's actions during his tenure, emphasizing thoroughness and ethical considerations in intelligence assessments.
• Political Targeting: He highlights the personal and professional repercussions of being targeted by political figures, particularly in the context of the Trump administration.
• Global Concerns: Brennan broadens the discussion to include significant international issues, stressing the importance of addressing emerging threats beyond political distractions.
• Advocacy for Democracy: Throughout the conversation, Brennan advocates for the protection of democratic institutions and the ethical responsibilities of government officials.

This detailed conversation offers listeners an in-depth look into the challenges faced by intelligence officials when navigating the complexities of political interference and global security threats.