Trump cites Russia probe as a reason for revoking former CIA chief John Brennan's security clearance

President Donald Trump cited the ongoing probe into Russia's attack on U.S. elections in 2016 as a reason he revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, a frequent critic of the president.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump made a more direct connection between his action against Brennan and the investigation than he had in a statement released Wednesday. He told the newspaper he believes Brennan is one of the people responsible for special counsel Robert Mueller's probe.

"I think that whole – I call it the rigged witch hunt – is a sham," Trump told the Journal on Wednesday. "And these people led it!"

"So I think it's something that had to be done," he added, referring to his revocation of Brennan's clearance.

Trump also told the Journal the investigation is "so badly discredited" but stressed that he isn't a target of Mueller's team.