Trump Ally Leaves DOJ Role as Investigation Faces Uncertain Future

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

Joseph diGenova has resigned from his Justice Department role overseeing investigations tied to the so-called "Grand Conspiracy" surrounding the origins of the Trump-Russia investigations. According to Fox News, two sources familiar with the matter told the outlet that diGenova had lost the confidence of both the Justice Department and the White House and had been largely sidelined before his departure. ABC News first reported that he was leaving the role. "It was an honor and a privilege to serve the president and the department," diGenova told CBS News. He declined to discuss the circumstances surrounding his resignation. The departure comes months after diGenova was brought into the investigation following the removal of career prosecutor Maria Medetis Long. He had been tapped in April to oversee the inquiry from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Fort Pierce, Florida. The broader investigation examines allegations involving Obama- and Biden-era officials and claims of an effort to prevent Trump from returning to political office. Former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey are among the officials whose conduct has drawn scrutiny. DiGenova was also involved in a separate criminal investigation examining whether Brennan made false statements to Congress concerning the intelligence community's assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Brennan has denied wrongdoing. The investigations have produced a series of subpoenas as federal investigators have sought information from witnesses connected to the previous Russia-related investigations. CBS News reported that some witnesses were notified they would appear before a grand jury, while investigators also sought interviews with former FBI personnel involved in the Mar-a-Lago investigation. No charges had been filed in either matter at the time of the reports. DiGenova's appointment had itself drawn attention because of his long history as a Trump ally. He previously represented Trump's campaign during its unsuccessful effort to challenge the 2020 election results and served as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia from 1983 to 1988. His wife, attorney Victoria Toensing, also joined the federal prosecution team in South Florida and is expected to leave the Justice Department, according to CBS News. The departures leave questions about who will take over the investigations and how the cases will proceed. The Brennan probes remain active, with federal investigators continuing to pursue information and testimony related to the allegations.