Kurt Olsen Resigns From DOJ Amid Turmoil in 'Grand Conspiracy' Probe

Key points

• Olsen resigned from the DOJ on Monday, sources told CBS News, after working on the 'grand conspiracy' case in the Southern District of Florida.
• The investigation, which targets former officials like John Brennan, has not resulted in any charges and has seen the recent resignations of lead prosecutor Joe diGenova and FBI agent Jack Eckenrode.
• Olsen previously served as the White House director of election security and integrity, where he pushed for Supreme Court challenges to the 2020 results and facilitated the FBI’s seizure of ballots from Fulton County, Georgia.
• The New York Times reports Olsen’s departure was linked to issues with his security clearance, while CBS News notes he was one of several prosecutors to leave the team recently.
• The Justice Department has hired two new former prosecutors to join the investigative team, though it remains unclear who is managing the day-to-day operations of the case.

Background

This resignation follows the abrupt departure of Joe diGenova, the lead prosecutor on the 'grand conspiracy' case, in early September 2026. DiGenova cited tensions with DOJ leadership over the pace and management of the cases. The 'grand conspiracy' investigation is part of a broader Trump administration effort to pursue legal action against federal officials who investigated him, including the Russia probe and classified documents case. Earlier in 2026, the DOJ also faced scrutiny over its efforts to obtain unredacted voter data from states like Utah and Nevada, and plans to deploy 1,000 election monitors for the midterms.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News emphasizes Olsen’s role as an election denier and his involvement in the 'grand conspiracy' investigation, noting that several prosecutors have left the team recently. The New York Times highlights that Olsen’s resignation was triggered by security clearance issues and frames it as a significant setback to the administration’s retributive investigations. CNN focuses on Olsen’s background as a key figure in the 2020 election denial efforts and his lack of prior experience in election law. The Washington Post describes the departure as another prominent exit from a high-profile inquiry that has become a central focus for the administration, noting the leadership void atop the case. All sources agree on Olsen’s resignation but differ on the primary reasons, with the NYT citing security clearance issues while CBS and CNN focus on his political role and the broader turmoil in the investigation.

Why it matters

Olsen’s resignation underscores the instability and internal conflicts within the Trump administration’s 'grand conspiracy' investigation, which aims to hold former federal officials accountable for actions perceived as targeting the president. The departure of key figures like Olsen and diGenova raises questions about the viability and direction of the probe, which has yet to produce any charges. It also highlights the tensions between DOJ leadership and prosecutors over the pace and management of politically sensitive cases.

What to watch

The Justice Department is expected to continue the 'grand conspiracy' investigation with the two newly hired former prosecutors. It remains to be seen who will assume day-to-day management of the case following the departures of Olsen and diGenova. The administration may face further scrutiny over the lack of charges and the internal conflicts within the probe, potentially impacting its broader legal strategies against former officials.