A Justice Department letter sent early this year requested fully unredacted Senate transcripts, depositions, briefings, hearing records, and written responses tied to Brennan. JOHN SOLOMON: John Thune and Tom Cotton Are Blocking the DOJ From Obtaining the Brennan Transcripts, and Todd Blanche Has Failed to Force Their Release. A report released Wednesday named Thune, the Senate majority leader from South Dakota, and Cotton, the Arkansas Republican who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, as the two leaders preventing the records from reaching prosecutors. AdvertisementJohn Thune and Tom Cotton Are Blocking DOJ from Obtaining Brennan Transcripts before US Senate Committees – Impeding Investigation into Former CIA ChiefWith friends like John Thune and Tom Cotton — who needs enemies? A spokesperson for the Senate Intelligence Committee also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.