DOJ Reverses Subpoenas in Brennan Perjury Case Amid Leadership Shake-Up

The Department of Justice (DOJ) reversed course on Monday, withdrawing several subpoenas that had been issued just days earlier as part of its developing perjury case against former CIA Director John Brennan. The sudden rescission came without explanation, with law enforcement officials stating that voluntary interviews would now be conducted instead.

Prosecutors had issued the subpoenas over the weekend, requiring witnesses to testify before a grand jury in Washington. This approach surprised veteran prosecutors, who noted that witnesses are typically interviewed by the FBI prior to grand jury appearances, according to The New York Times.

Last week, Maria Medetis Long, chief of the national security section for the U.S. attorney’s office in Miami, was removed from the investigation after reportedly expressing doubts about the probe. The DOJ subsequently appointed Joseph diGenova, a vocal Trump ally known for his accusations against Brennan, to take over the case. DiGenova was sworn in on Monday, though it remains unclear whether he played a role in the decision to issue or rescind the subpoenas.

The investigation centers on allegations that Brennan lied to Congress regarding his involvement in crafting an intelligence assessment about Russian interference efforts to benefit Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. The U.S. attorney’s office in the Southern District of Florida has already issued 30 subpoenas as part of a broader conspiracy investigation targeting Trump’s perceived political adversaries. These cases are assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, who previously dismissed classified documents charges against the former president.

This reversal is part of a pattern of significant prosecutorial missteps under Trump’s DOJ, which has raised concerns about the integrity of multiple civil and criminal cases.