Just the News Editor-in-Chief John Solomon alleged on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, that two Republican senators have for months delayed a Department of Justice (DOJ) request for Senate records pertinent to an ongoing investigation involving former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan. Speaking on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Solomon identified Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) as the individuals who have reportedly refused to provide prosecutors with transcripts of Brennan’s interviews before Senate committees.
"I can tell you with 100% certainty that Republicans are obstructing the investigation into weaponization… I can name by name, John Thune and Tom Cotton." — John Solomon, Editor-in-Chief of Just the News
Solomon stated that he was relaying this information as a reporter, asserting with "100% certainty" that "Republicans are obstructing the investigation into weaponization." He specified that the DOJ first requested these records in late January or early February of the current year. The requested materials include transcripts of Brennan’s appearances before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which prosecutors reportedly seek as part of an ongoing federal grand jury investigation based in Fort Pierce, Florida.
"They have refused for months, four months now," Solomon claimed on the podcast. "They are refusing thus far to provide to Joe diGenova, to the prosecutors in Florida, to the Miami U.S. Attorney, to the Justice Department, the transcripts of John Brennan’s interviews with the Senate Intelligence Committee."
The investigation in Fort Pierce is examining whether government officials engaged in misconduct related to intelligence and law enforcement activities during probes surrounding the 2016 presidential election. These activities specifically include Brennan’s contacts regarding the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russian election interference, documents related to the Steele dossier, and allegations of coordination between the 2016 President Trump campaign and Russian officials. Former U.S. Attorney Joe diGenova has been identified as playing a significant role in this grand jury investigation.
Solomon also raised questions regarding the Justice Department’s approach to obtaining the records, specifically its apparent reluctance to issue a subpoena. "I don’t understand the Justice Department’s behavior," he remarked, drawing historical parallels. "Every other time in American history, go back to Iran-Contra, go back to Watergate, the Justice Department subpoenas the Congress." He contended that judicial intervention should have already been sought, suggesting that "There ought to be a grand jury subpoena sitting in the Senate clerk’s office." Solomon concluded that "The Justice Department has been delayed by eight months by two Republicans" in this matter.
Earlier reporting by Just the News, corroborated by Trending Politics, indicated that the DOJ had requested fully unredacted classified and unclassified transcripts, depositions, hearings, and written witness responses from both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee. Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis reportedly sent letters requesting these records for an ongoing law enforcement matter, setting a compliance deadline of February 23, 2026.
While the House of Representatives previously voted to transmit similar materials to investigators, the Senate had not provided the requested records as of mid-April, according to previous reports. Neither Senator Thune nor Senator Cotton has publicly responded to Solomon’s specific allegations made during the podcast. Furthermore, the Justice Department has not publicly commented on its reasons for not seeking a subpoena to compel the production of these records. The allegations underscore ongoing tensions surrounding federal investigations into the 2016 election and the extent of congressional cooperation with such inquiries.
