CIA Director John Brennan: ISIS militants aren't Muslims, they're 'psychopathic thugs'

CIA Director John Brennan warned on Friday against giving "Islamic legitimacy" to ISIS militants, CBS News reports.

"They are terrorists, they're criminals," Brennan said during an interview at the Council on Foreign Relations. "Most — many — of them are psychopathic thugs, murderers who use a religious concept and masquerade and mask themselves in that religious construct…It is totally inconsistent with what the overwhelming majority of Muslims (believe) throughout the world."

Brennan's comments echoed those of the Obama administration, which has been careful not to characterize members of ISIS as Islamists — a decision that has led to some debate in the U.S.

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"I think we have to be very careful in the characterization," Brennan said. "Because the words we use can have resonance."