Ex-Trump Lawyer Leads Probe Into CIA’s John Brennan

New Probe into CIA Director Brennan Assigned to Former Trump Lawyer

The Justice Department has appointed former Trump campaign lawyer Joseph DiGenova to lead a government investigation. The probe is looking into former federal officials, including ex-CIA Director John Brennan.

This investigation is related to the 2016 Russian election interference inquiry. The news comes just days after the Justice Department removed a veteran prosecutor who was overseeing the case.

DiGenova’s History and Stance on Investigations

Joseph DiGenova served as a U.S. attorney during the Reagan administration. He has a long history of supporting President Trump, dating back to Trump’s first term.

During the intelligence community’s investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election, DiGenova frequently spread claims that the probe was illegitimate. In a 2019 interview with Fox News, he stated that the investigation’s core began and ended with John Brennan.

“This is very serious business, and for the first time, I now believe that some of these guys are going to go to them a little bit of prison.”

DiGenova’s comments clearly supported President Trump and his allies’ claims. They argued that the investigation was a grand conspiracy targeting President Trump.

However, a 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report found that Russia did try to influence the 2016 election. This finding is also supported by the investigation led by Special Counsel John Durham.

Prosecutor Removed Amidst Probe

The appointment of DiGenova follows the removal of Maria Medetis-Long, a veteran prosecutor. She was overseeing the investigation for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida.

Sources familiar with her discussions reported that Long told superiors there wasn’t enough evidence to bring criminal charges against John Brennan. She also indicated she expected to withdraw from the case, which she has done.

This is not the first time a prosecutor has left this investigation in the Southern District of Florida. Two prosecutors departed last fall, stating they were uncomfortable working on the case. This suggests a pattern of concerns within the Justice Department regarding the direction of this particular probe.

Concerns Over Conflicts of Interest

Michael Feinberg, a former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge and national security analyst, expressed serious doubts about DiGenova’s ability to lead the probe fairly. Feinberg noted that DiGenova has publicly made strong accusations against the subjects of the investigation. He also pointed out that DiGenova represented individuals connected to the first impeachment effort involving President Trump.

Feinberg highlighted that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also represented individuals during that impeachment effort. He believes this creates a significant conflict of interest. Such conflicts could prevent them from fairly presenting the case to a grand jury, and might violate strict Justice Department policies.

Impact on Intelligence Community

John Brennan, speaking on MSNC, voiced concerns about the message this investigation sends. He believes it could create a chilling effect on current intelligence and law enforcement officers. Brennan also pointed to the wasted resources that could be used for other pressing national issues.

Feinberg echoed these concerns, stating the situation could make the United States less safe. He explained that intelligence officers might hesitate to follow facts wherever they lead.

If elected officials can seek revenge for good-faith efforts to find the truth, officers will be reluctant to do their jobs. This could lead to experienced professionals leaving the field, resulting in an understaffed and under-resourced intelligence community.

Looking Ahead

The Justice Department’s decision to appoint DiGenova and the prior removal of a prosecutor raise significant questions about the investigation’s impartiality and purpose. The potential for conflicts of interest and the impact on the morale and effectiveness of the intelligence community remain key areas to watch.

Source: Former Trump campaign lawyer tapped to lead probe into John Brennan (YouTube)