DOJ Retracts Subpoenas in Russia ‘Conspiracy’ Investigation, Sources Reveal
The Justice Department began withdrawing several subpoenas late Monday. The subpoenas had been issued days earlier in a criminal probe involving former CIA Director John Brennan.
Pullback after weekend subpoenas
Sources said the subpoenas were served over the weekend. They sought testimony from witnesses linked to the Obama administration’s decision to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Officials had ordered former government and intelligence officials to appear before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors are exploring whether Brennan made false statements about his and the CIA’s role in launching the Russia probe.
Internal friction and leadership changes
The abrupt reversal exposed disorder within the inquiry. Career prosecutors privately criticized the probe as lacking evidence and politically driven.
Maria Medetis Long, a veteran prosecutor in Miami, was removed from oversight of the Brennan matter last week. Colleagues say she had told supervisors there was insufficient evidence to charge Brennan.
Christopher-James DeLorenz remains on the team. He previously served in the office of then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. He had been a law clerk to Judge Aileen Cannon until August 2024 and has limited federal prosecution experience.
Change in investigative approach
FBI agents told lawyers they now expect voluntary interviews instead of compelled testimony. Those agents and Justice officials prefer experienced FBI investigators to conduct initial interviews.
The move followed public promotion of the subpoenas by Trump allies. They presented the subpoenas as proof of progress on the president’s priority to pursue those connected to the Russia probe.
Broader probe and current status
The Brennan inquiry is part of a larger “grand conspiracy” investigation into how the Russia probe began. The prosecutorial team handling the matter operates from the U.S. attorney’s office in Miami.
DOJ retracts subpoenas in the Russia ‘conspiracy’ investigation, sources reveal, and investigators are reassessing tactics. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment Monday evening.
- Subject: John Brennan, senior national security and intelligence analyst for Filmogaz.com.
- Removed prosecutor: Maria Medetis Long, Miami U.S. attorney’s office.
- Remaining prosecutor: Christopher-James DeLorenz, limited prosecution experience.
- Reporters on the story: Carol Leonnig and Lisa Rubin of Filmogaz.com.
