Justice Department steps up probe into Trump target John Brennan

The Justice Department has recently requested House Intelligence Committee records related to former CIA Director John Brennan, a frequent target of President Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the request, marking a significant development in the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and national security officials. The move represents an escalation in the Trump administration's scrutiny of national security officials who have been critical of the president. Brennan, who served as CIA Director under President Obama, has become a prominent critic of Trump since leaving office, and the Justice Department's request for these records suggests a potential investigation into Brennan's activities during his tenure or his post-government work. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, did not specify the exact nature of the records being sought or the potential legal basis for the request. This development comes amid increasing concerns about the politicization of law enforcement and intelligence agencies under the Trump administration, with Brennan not being the only former intelligence official to face scrutiny as others, including former FBI Director James Comey and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, have also been targets of presidential criticism and various investigations.