CIA Director John Ratcliffe said he has referred former Obama administration officials to the Justice Department after releasing intelligence related to the 2016 election. Ratcliffe named former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former FBI Director James Comey as potential subjects of criminal charges linked to what he described as a “hoax” surrounding the election.
Ratcliffe emphasized that referrals have been made, including by current DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who recently released documents about the 2016 election. Though these files revealed little new information about Russia’s interference efforts, Republicans have used them to question the legitimacy of investigations into Trump’s victory. Ratcliffe said ongoing intelligence releases will support the Justice Department’s efforts to pursue legal action against those involved in what he calls a conspiracy against the American people and the Trump administration.