Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the House Judiciary Committee last year that he did not regret signing the infamous 2020 letter from 51 former intelligence officials that suggested Hunter Biden’s laptop was fake.
Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan were two of the letter’s most prominent signatories, and were also the architects of the dubious “Russia collusion” hoax case against then-President Donald Trump.
The laptop contained incriminating evidence of apparent crimes committed by Hunter Biden, as well as evidence implicating then-candidate Joe Biden in his son’s business and influence tactics.
As Breitbart News noted at the time, the letter suggested the laptop was the product of a Russian “information” (i.e. disinformation) campaign.
The House Judiciary Committee released transcripts of private interviews with Clapper, Brennan and other officials who signed the letter, and previous testimony had revealed the roles of current Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former acting CIA director Michael Morell in circulating the letter to support Biden during the last presidential debate.
#newsJudiciary Committee releases records of intelligence officials who discredited Hunter Biden’s story
John Brennan notes: https://t.co/ghmbJ9tW7c
James Clapper’s transcript: https://t.co/qrObFQywvv
Andrew Makridis Transcript: https://t.co/y8nrg0wKuL
Michael…
— House Judiciary Committee Republicans (@JudiciaryGOP) June 27, 2024
Clapper’s testimony confirms that the letter was specifically used to provide Joe Biden with a debate talking point when President Trump ultimately mentioned the laptop. Biden Reply“Look, 50 former national intelligence officials have said what he’s accusing me of is a Russian plot. They say it has all the hallmarks of it. Four or five former CIA directors, both parties, have said what he’s saying is bullshit. Nobody believes it except him and his best friend Rudy Giuliani.”
In one section of the Clapper recording, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) asks Clapper if he regrets signing the letter, given that the laptop has since been verified to be genuine and the files stored on it. Clapper responds that he does not.
from Transcript (emphasis in original):
Mr. StewartSo you, and I want to say this gently and respectfully, cite your background and experience with Russian disinformation, have had two years to evaluate the evidence, and still have no conclusion as to whether this was a Russian disinformation campaign?
Mr. ClapperI have not had access to the laptop myself, nor am I aware of the results of any legitimate forensic analysis, and again, I am only suggesting the possibility that the Russians may be involved. I am not saying that they are.
Mr. StewartSo at this point, do you think it’s reasonable to continue investigating Hunter Biden’s laptop as possible Russian disinformation?
Mr. Clapper. surely.
Mr. StewartOk, so do you regret signing the letter?
Mr. Clapper. no.
Mr. StewartNot yet? With all the information you have now, you still regret it?
Mr. ClapperNo. That was two and a half years ago.
Mr. StewartBut with the information available to you now, do you wish you could go back and say, “Oh, I wish I hadn’t done that”?
Mr. ClapperNo, I don’t think so, but I wish they had added something to the letter like, “We will of course abide by the results of a legitimate forensic analysis of the laptop,” which I think would have made the letter stronger.
Meanwhile, Brennan Said He said he had no regrets other than that the letter “gave fuel to people trying to make a fuss about this.”
The testimony came a year before the Department of Justice formally and publicly verified the laptop’s authenticity when prosecuting Hunter Biden for lying on federal gun control forms.
No apology was offered by the 51 signatories.
Joel B. Pollack is executive editor of Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday The show airs Sunday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. (4 to 7 p.m. ET) on SiriusXM Patriot. He recently published an e-book,Trumpian virtue: The lessons and legacy of Donald Trump’s presidency” is available on Audible. He is also the author of an e-book. Not Free or Fair: The 2020 US Presidential ElectionHe is the recipient of the Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship in 2018. Follow him on Twitter. Joel Pollack.
