Second Prosecutor Resigns From Trump Election Case
Kurt Olsen and between six and seven other prosecutors have resigned from the DOJ's 'grand conspiracy' investigation based in the Southern District of Florida. The probe has produced no charges.
- 7 to 8 total departures have now hit the Florida investigation, a source said.
- Joseph diGenova, the probe's lead prosecutor, resigned earlier this month amid tensions with senior DOJ officials.
- Attorney General Todd Blanche appointed diGenova in April to oversee the investigation.
- One DOJ official told the Daily Mail the case was initiated to create the appearance of activity.
Why it matters: The investigation was targeting whether intelligence and law enforcement officials, including former CIA Director John Brennan, plotted against Donald Trump. No charges have resulted.
- Law enforcement veterans have expressed concerns the probe has been staffed with politically motivated personnel, CBS News previously reported.
- A senior career prosecutor was removed earlier this year after raising concerns about the strength of the evidence.
How 8 sources split on this story
Where they split: The key dispute is whether the mass departures signal the investigation is effectively over or whether some attorneys simply completed temporary assignments.
Left coverage, 5 sources: The left frames the departures as further evidence the probe was politically staffed from the start and lacks legal merit.
CBS News8hElection denier Kurt Olsen has resigned from DOJ, sources say
CNN4hKurt Olsen, key Trump 2020 election denier, departs Justice Department
Mediaite4hTrump Loyalist, Several Prosecutors Exit DOJ’s ‘Grand Conspiracy’ ProbeTBGThe Boston Globe5hSecond prosecutor quits Trump’s ‘grand conspiracy’ case
The Washington Post6hDOJ probe into Trump foes sees another prominent departureRight coverage, 1 sources: The right frames the resignations as a blow to an investigation the president has championed, with uncertainty over who orchestrated the exits.
What’s next: Acting Deputy AG Trent McCotter traveled to Florida after diGenova's exit to review the probe's progress.
- One source told CBS News some departing attorneys had been assigned on a temporary basis and those terms ended.
- Whether the Justice Department will appoint new prosecutors to continue the investigation or effectively wind it down.
- What specifically prompted Olsen's resignation and whether it was coordinated with the other departures.