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John Brennan
Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Intelligence Director
Overview
CIA Director (2013-2017) and counterterrorism advisor who was the primary architect of the Obama administration's drone assassination program. Oversaw the expansion of targeted killings via drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and other countries, including the extrajudicial killing of American citizens. Approved the CIA disposition matrix (kill list) and defended the legal authority to kill Americans abroad without trial. Previously served as CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia and was implicated in the agency's Bush-era enhanced interrogation (torture) and extraordinary rendition programs.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Primary architect of President Obama's drone assassination program targeting suspected terrorists without trial
Oversaw expansion of CIA drone strikes that killed thousands in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia including hundreds of civilians
Approved the extrajudicial killing of American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki by drone strike in Yemen (September 2011)
Two weeks after al-Awlaki killing, his 16-year-old American-born son Abdulrahman was killed in a separate drone strike
Managed the CIA disposition matrix (kill list) determining who would be targeted for assassination
Implicated in CIA torture program; served as deputy executive director when enhanced interrogation techniques were authorized
CIA under his leadership spied on Senate Intelligence Committee computers investigating the torture program
Initially denied CIA hacking of Senate computers; later admitted it and apologized after IG investigation confirmed it
Supported extraordinary rendition program transferring detainees to countries known to torture prisoners
Related Investigations (4)
Criminal Charges & Violations
3 documented violations
5th Amendment Due Process - Extrajudicial Killing of U.S. CitizensApproved drone killing of American citizens including Anwar al-Awlaki without criminal charges, trial, or judicial review(constitutional)
International Humanitarian Law - Civilian CasualtiesDrone program under his direction killed hundreds of civilians including children in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia(human-rights)
Separation of Powers - Spying on CongressCIA under his leadership accessed Senate Intelligence Committee computers during investigation of CIA torture program(constitutional)
Known Associates & Connections
Barack Obama
President who expanded drone program and appointed Brennan CIA Director
Gina Haspel
CIA officer involved in torture program who later became CIA Director
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Bureau of Investigative Journalism: Drone Strike Database(2023)
Senate Intelligence Committee Study of CIA Detention and Interrogation Program(2014)
ACLU: Targeted Killing of Anwar al-Awlaki(2014)
Personal Information
- Born
- 1955-09-22
- Birthplace
- North Bergen, New Jersey
Education
- •B.A. in Political Science, Fordham University (1977)
- •M.A. in Government, University of Texas at Austin (1980)
Key Timeline
1980
Joins CIA as intelligence officer; serves across Middle East including Saudi Arabia station chief
2001-2003
Serves as CIA Deputy Executive Director during implementation of enhanced interrogation and rendition programs
2004
Named director of National Counterterrorism Center
2009-01
Appointed Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism by Obama
2009-2013
Oversees expansion of drone strike program; manages disposition matrix (kill list)
2011-09-30
Approves drone strike killing American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen without trial
2011-10-14
Separate drone strike kills al-Awlaki's 16-year-old American-born son Abdulrahman
2013-03-08
Confirmed as CIA Director after contentious hearing about drone program
2014-03
CIA caught accessing Senate Intelligence Committee computers; Brennan initially denies it
2014-08
CIA Inspector General confirms CIA accessed Senate computers; Brennan apologizes
2017-01-20
Departs CIA; becomes NBC/MSNBC analyst