John O. Brennan Quotes

48 quotes in 772 categories

• When we uphold the rule of law, our counterterrorism tools are more likely to withstand the scrutiny of our courts, our allies, and the American…
• Jihad is holy struggle, a legitimate tenet of Islam, meaning to purify oneself or one's community.
• Unfortunately, in war, there are casualties, including among the civilian population.
• While the intelligence profession oftentimes demands secrecy, it is critically important that there be a full and open discourse on intelligence matters with the appropriate…
• We will use all lawful tools at our disposal, and that includes authorities under the renewed PATRIOT Act. We firmly believe that our intelligence gathering…
• Why should a great and powerful nation like the United States allow its relationship with more than a billion Muslims around the world to be…
• Al-Qa'ida is the antithesis of the peace, tolerance and humanity that is at the heart of Islam.
• How you define a problem shapes how you address it.
• I go to bed at night worrying that I didn't do enough that day to make sure I protect the American people.
• I have a reputation for speaking my mind. I like to think my candor and bluntness will give you the answers.
• I'm neither Republican nor Democrat. I've worked for the past five administrations.
• Poverty does not cause violence and terrorism. Lack of education does not cause terrorism.
• President Obama has made it clear that the United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
• Terrorists are not 100 feet tall. Nor do they deserve the abject fear they seek to instill.
• The men and women of the CIA are a national treasure.
• The risk of just one terrorist with just one nuclear weapon is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.
• Throughout my career, I had the great fortune to experience firsthand as well as to witness what it means to be a CIA officer.
• We are a nation of laws, and we will always act within the bounds of the law.
• We are in this business, whether it be intelligence or the government, to protect freedom, democracy and liberty, not to violate that.
• Yes, war is hell. It is awful. It involves human beings killing other human beings, sometimes innocent civilians. That is why we despise war.

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