Fact Check: John Brennan's promotion of the Steele dossier sought to destroy the Trump campaign.

Fact Check: "John Brennan's promotion of the Steele dossier sought to destroy the Trump campaign."

What We Know

The claim that John Brennan promoted the Steele dossier to undermine the Trump campaign is rooted in the controversy surrounding the dossier itself. The Steele dossier, compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, contained unverified allegations about Donald Trump's ties to Russia and was funded by the Clinton campaign (source-2).

Brennan, who was the CIA Director during the 2016 election, has been scrutinized for his role in the intelligence community's handling of the dossier. Reports indicate that he was aware of the dossier's controversial nature and the potential risks of including it in official intelligence assessments (source-5).

In his memoir, Brennan stated that he opposed including the dossier in a briefing document for President Obama, suggesting he had reservations about its credibility (source-3). However, some critics argue that he still allowed its use in investigations, which they claim was politically motivated to damage Trump's campaign (source-6).

Analysis

The evidence surrounding Brennan's actions regarding the Steele dossier is mixed and often politically charged. On one hand, Brennan's acknowledgment of the dossier's questionable reliability in his memoir suggests a level of caution in its use. This could imply that he did not intend to promote it for malicious purposes (source-3).

Conversely, critics argue that the inclusion of the dossier in intelligence assessments was a strategic move to undermine Trump, particularly given its ties to the Clinton campaign (source-6). The narrative that Brennan and others in the intelligence community were acting with partisan motives is bolstered by claims from various conservative commentators and media outlets (source-8).

However, the reliability of these sources varies. While some mainstream outlets provide a balanced view, others may have inherent biases that could color their interpretations of Brennan's actions. The ongoing investigations into Brennan and Comey also add a layer of complexity, as they may reflect broader political motivations rather than purely factual assessments (source-5).

Conclusion

The claim that John Brennan's promotion of the Steele dossier was intended to destroy the Trump campaign remains Unverified. While there are assertions that his actions were politically motivated, the evidence does not conclusively support this narrative. Brennan's own statements indicate a level of caution regarding the dossier, and the motivations behind its use in intelligence assessments are still debated. The complexity of the situation, combined with the varying reliability of sources, prevents a definitive conclusion.

Sources

1. 6 Documented Instances Of Systemic Pro- Democrat FBI ...
2. Steele dossier
3. FBI investigates Brennan and Comey over 2016 election ...
4. The CIA Director Tries to Rewrite the 'Russia Hoax'
5. Brennan and Comey under DOJ probe for Trump-Russia origins
6. Obama officials used unverified 'Steele dossier' despite ...
7. FBI investigates Brennan and Comey over 2016 election ...
8. Gregg Jarrett Explains How Brennan And Comey 'Tried To Entrap ...