‘I don’t know’ if there was Trump-Russia collusion, ex-CIA chief tells Congress
Ex-CIA Chief John Brennan testified before the House Intelligence Committee Tuesday and spoke about his concerns of possible Trump-Russia collusion. He said he was concerned by intelligence showing contacts between Russia and US persons.
Rep. Trey Growdy grilled him on that part and asked him if there was any evidence of collusion. Brennan’s response?
“I don’t do evidence.”
“I appreciate that you don’t do evidence, Director Brennan. Unfortunately, that’s what I do,” Gowdy fired back. “That’s the word we use, you use the word assessment, you use the word tradecraft. I use the word evidence. And the good news for me is lots of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle use the word evidence, too. One of my colleagues said there is more than circumstantial evidence of collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign.”
Eventually Brennan replied: “I don’t know whether or not such collusion — and that’s your term, such collusion existed. I don’t know. But I know that there was a sufficient basis of information and intelligence that required further investigation by the bureau to determine whether or not U.S. persons were actively conspiring, colluding with Russian officials.”
Watch:
Conaway says many stories about Russian interference are false or misleading
The panel’s chairman, Conaway, said that stories about efforts by Russia to interfere in the election are false or misleading. He said he hopes Brennan provides insight about what he knew as CIA director.
Bottom line? There’s still no evidence of collusion.