Former CIA Director John Brennan John Owen BrennanJournalism or partisanship? The media's mistakes of 2016 continue in 2020 Comey on Clinton tweet: 'I regret only being involved in the 2016 election' Ex-CIA Director Brennan questioned for 8 hours in Durham review of Russia probe MORE on Sunday said that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes Devin Gerald NunesSunday shows preview: With less than two months to go, race for the White House heats up Sunday shows preview: Republicans gear up for national convention, USPS debate continues in Washington Sunday shows preview: White House, congressional Democrats unable to breach stalemate over coronavirus relief MORE (R-Calif.) “abused” his position by releasing a controversial memo accusing the Justice Department of overstepping its surveillance powers.

“That Devin Nunes and Republicans denied the ability of the minority, the Democrat members of that committee, to put out its report is just appalling. And I think it, it really underscores just how partisan Mr. Nunes has been,” Brennan told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

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“He has abused the office of the chairmanship of [the committee]. And I don't say that lightly. I think over the past year he has demonstrated he's engaged in these tactics purely to defend and try to make excuses," he said.

Brennan, who led the CIA during former President Obama’s second term, said Nunes could have resorted to a hearing had he been concerned about the use of [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] warrants.

The House Intelligence Committee, on Monday, is holding a meeting to discuss the possibility of releasing a Democratic countermemo.