Kurt Olsen Resigns from DOJ 'Grand Conspiracy' Probe, Following diGenova

Key points

• Kurt Olsen, who previously served as the White House director of election security and integrity, has left the Justice Department.
• Olsen was assigned to the U.S. Attorney's Office in South Florida to work on the 'grand conspiracy' probe, which has not yet resulted in any charges.
• The investigation targets officials from the Obama and Biden administrations, including former CIA Director John Brennan, who has been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury.
• Olsen's resignation follows the departure of Joe diGenova, who cited tensions with DOJ leadership over the pace and direction of the cases.
• The Justice Department has hired two new former prosecutors to join the investigative team, though some other attorneys have left as their temporary assignments expired.

Background

The 'grand conspiracy' probe has faced significant internal turmoil since its inception. In early September, lead prosecutor Joe diGenova resigned after a tense call with Attorney General Todd Blanche, citing disagreements over the probe's management and a lack of supporting evidence for charges. The investigation, which traces back to the 2016 presidential campaign, has been scrutinized for its novel legal theories and the political motivations of its personnel. Olsen's departure adds to the instability, as the probe has produced no prosecutions despite extensive subpoenas and grand jury testimony.

How outlets are covering it

ABC News and CBS News confirm Olsen's resignation and note that other line prosecutors have also departed the South Florida office, though some were on temporary detail. CNN emphasizes Olsen's lack of prior prosecutorial experience and his role in the 2020 election challenges, including the Fulton County ballot seizure. AP News frames the resignation as part of a broader pattern of departures from the probe, highlighting the lack of charges and the skepticism from current and former federal prosecutors regarding the legal basis of the investigation. All sources agree that the probe is continuing under new leadership, but the repeated resignations raise questions about its future trajectory and the DOJ's commitment to the case.

Why it matters

The resignation of Kurt Olsen, a key figure in the Trump administration's efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, signals ongoing instability within the Justice Department's 'grand conspiracy' probe. The probe's lack of charges and the departure of multiple prosecutors suggest that the legal and political foundations of the investigation may be weakening. This could impact the DOJ's ability to pursue charges against Trump's political rivals and may influence public perception of the administration's commitment to accountability and the rule of law.

What to watch

The Justice Department is expected to continue the 'grand conspiracy' probe under new leadership, with the addition of two former prosecutors to the team. However, the repeated resignations and the lack of charges may lead to further scrutiny of the probe's legal basis and political motivations. The next steps will depend on the DOJ's ability to secure evidence and navigate internal tensions, as well as the response of the subjects of the investigation, including John Brennan, to the ongoing subpoenas and grand jury testimony.