Legal Insurrection by Ben Smith 11/2/2025
“I would like to hear what your justification was for supporting the dossier — that was known to be false — being used as source material in the second ICA.”Former CIA Director John Brennan erupted in anger this week after being confronted in public by a national security specialist who pressed him on his role in signing the 2020 letter that falsely cast doubt on the Hunter Biden laptop story.
The fiery exchange unfolded during a Q&A session following a national security event, when Thomas Speciale, a former military intelligence officer and counterintelligence adviser to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, stepped up to the microphone and identified himself to the panel.
“My name is Tom Speciale. I’ve been a career intelligence officer for over 20 years in the military, for over 34 years,” he began. “I recently left the DNI as a Senior Advisor for Tulsi Gabbard on counterintelligence and security. I was at the DNI when the first ICA was released regarding cyber influence on the 2016 election.”
Speciale’s comments quickly turned pointed. Drawing on his own experience inside the intelligence community, he accused Brennan of backing flawed assessments and politically motivated narratives about Russian interference.
“There was an email that went around from General Clapper to yourself and Comey that basically said, ‘We all got to get on board with this, otherwise it isn’t going to work,’” Speciale said. “I would like to hear what your justification was for supporting the dossier that was known to be false being used as source material in the second ICA.”
Brennan, seated just feet away, visibly bristled at the question.
“I don’t know who put you up to this,” Brennan snapped. “But it’s a bunch of bullshit that you just passed on.”
Last night at a conference with former CIA Director Brennon I confronted him regarding the fake dossier and the Russia Collusion hoax. Listen to his response. Just FYI – I wasn't uninvited to the afterhours. pic.twitter.com/sE96meMpHA
— Thomas A. Speciale II (@Speciale4VA) October 31, 2025
More:
https://legalinsurrection.com/2025/11/ex-cia-chief-snaps-over-hunter-biden-laptop-confrontation/
