Donald Trump has unleashed a blistering new attack on two of America’s most prominent former intelligence officials, declaring that James Comey and John Brennan “should be arrested” for what he claims were crimes committed during his presidency. The tirade, delivered at a rally and amplified across social media, reignited one of the most bitter chapters of Trump’s political saga: his war with the intelligence community. For critics, it was a dangerous escalation; for his supporters, a long-awaited call for accountability.
According to Reuters, Trump accused Comey, the former FBI director, and Brennan, the former CIA chief, of orchestrating a conspiracy to undermine his presidency through the Russia investigation. Standing before a crowd of thousands, Trump’s voice dripped with fury as he called them “traitors” and insisted they belonged behind bars. “They lied to Congress, they lied to the American people, and they tried to overthrow your president,” he shouted. The crowd roared back, chanting “Lock them up!”
Trump’s remarks come as investigations into his own conduct continue to dominate headlines. As reported by The New York Times, prosecutors are still examining Trump’s handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Critics immediately dismissed his attacks on Comey and Brennan as political theater—a distraction from his own legal peril. Yet the force of his rhetoric reminded many of the 2016 campaign, when chants of “Lock her up” defined the atmosphere of his rallies.
“Trump is back to demanding arrests—this time for Comey and Brennan. The crowd erupted.”— @PoliticsWatch
For Comey and Brennan, Trump’s accusations are nothing new. Both men have been frequent targets of his ire since the earliest days of the Russia probe. Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017, has described the former president as “morally unfit for office,” while Brennan has accused him of betraying American values. Their outspoken criticism has only fueled Trump’s determination to paint them as villains. As one adviser told CNN, “He sees them as the architects of his misery. And he wants revenge.”
The attack also underscores Trump’s ongoing strategy of rewriting history. Analysts writing for FT said Trump’s calls for arrest are less about legal reality than about solidifying his narrative that he was the victim of a “deep state” plot. By demanding consequences for his enemies, he frames himself as both persecuted and powerful. “It’s grievance politics taken to the extreme,” one political scientist explained. “And his base loves it.”
“Lock them up! Lock them up! Trump rallies still run on fury and revenge.”— @nexta_tv
For supporters, Trump’s outburst was vindication. Footage highlighted by Fox News showed the crowd leaping to their feet when he mentioned Brennan’s name. Some waved signs reading “Arrest the traitors,” while others shouted that the intelligence community had tried to “steal America.” To them, Trump’s words are not reckless but righteous—a demand for justice they believe has been denied. “They tried to take him down,” one woman told reporters. “Now it’s their turn.”
Yet critics warned that Trump’s rhetoric is dangerous. Reports in The Guardian noted that former intelligence officials are already facing threats, raising concerns that Trump’s words could incite violence. Brennan himself responded in an interview with NBC News, saying Trump was “playing with fire” and endangering the lives of public servants. Comey, meanwhile, tweeted a cryptic message reminding followers that “truth matters, even when lies are loud.”
“Comey just responded: ‘Truth matters, even when lies are loud.’ Subtle but sharp.”— @USPoliticsLive
The international reaction has been equally unsettled. European officials quoted by Deutsche Welle said Trump’s calls for arrests of former intelligence chiefs reinforced fears that his return to power would bring renewed chaos. Allies who once relied on U.S. intelligence cooperation are now questioning how America’s institutions can withstand Trump’s fury. “It is deeply troubling,” one diplomat said. “These are not words of stability. They are words of revenge.”
Inside Washington, Trump’s outburst has widened the partisan divide. Republicans aligned with Trump have echoed his accusations, with one congressman telling Politico that Comey and Brennan “abused their power and must be held accountable.” Democrats, however, blasted the remarks as authoritarian, warning that Trump’s calls for arrests are a blueprint for political persecution. “This is how democracy dies,” one senator said. “When leaders demand prison for their critics.”
For ordinary Americans, the spectacle is both exhausting and alarming. Videos shared by @EuromaidanPress showed protesters outside the rally holding signs reading “Truth Over Trump.” Meanwhile, Trump supporters online celebrated the speech as one of his most fiery in months. The clash reflects the deepening fracture of American life, where even the question of who belongs in prison has become a partisan battlefield.
As the rally ended, Trump soaked in the adoration of his crowd, basking in chants that echoed the anger he has stoked for years. His words—calling for the arrest of two of America’s most prominent intelligence chiefs—may never lead to handcuffs. But they will fuel headlines, stir passions, and remind the world that Trump’s politics of vengeance remain as powerful as ever. In his America, the line between justice and retribution is not just blurred—it is obliterated.
