Olsen exits 'grand conspiracy' probe but stays on DOJ payroll amid staffing crisis

Key points

• Olsen resigned from the 'grand conspiracy' case on Monday but clarified he remains a DOJ employee, contrary to initial reports of a full resignation.
• Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed reports of Olsen's departure as 'fake news' but later confirmed he is no longer assigned to the probe.
• Olsen faces a security clearance issue that prevents him from working on classified aspects of the investigation.
• The 'grand conspiracy' probe has lost three key prosecutors this year, including lead prosecutor Joe diGenova, who resigned amid tensions with DOJ leadership.
• The investigation, which targets officials involved in probes against Trump, has yet to result in criminal charges and faces skepticism over its legal basis.

Background

The 'grand conspiracy' investigation was launched by the Trump administration to target Obama- and Biden-era officials involved in investigations against Trump. The probe has faced significant challenges, including staff turnover and skepticism from legal experts. Earlier this year, Maria Medetis Long was removed from the case after raising concerns about the strength of the evidence, and Joe diGenova resigned in September amid tensions with the Deputy Attorney General's Office. The investigation has also faced legal hurdles, with former FBI agents threatening to testify about the proper investigation of Trump's retention of classified documents.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and ABC News both report on Olsen's departure from the 'grand conspiracy' probe but differ in emphasis. CBS News highlights the confusion over Olsen's resignation, noting that DOJ officials initially misinterpreted his email as a full resignation from the federal government. ABC News focuses on the broader context of the probe's instability, noting that Olsen had no prior prosecutorial experience and was deeply involved in litigation surrounding Trump's 2020 election challenges. NBC News emphasizes the pressure on the probe to produce results, noting that several personnel have departed just weeks before the midterm elections. The Atlantic provides a critical perspective, arguing that the probe is buckling under strategic errors and the facts, particularly the threat of testimony from former FBI agents involved in the Mar-a-Lago search.

Why it matters

The departure of Kurt Olsen and other key prosecutors from the 'grand conspiracy' probe highlights the ongoing instability and skepticism surrounding the investigation. The probe, which targets Obama- and Biden-era officials, has yet to result in criminal charges and faces legal challenges, including the threat of testimony from former FBI agents. The staffing turmoil and misinterpreted resignation emails suggest that the administration's efforts to hold its political opponents accountable may be faltering, potentially impacting the broader political landscape ahead of the midterm elections.

What to watch

It remains unclear what work Olsen will perform in the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida, as he faces a security clearance issue. Olsen has expressed interest in transferring to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of North Carolina to work on election matters, but it is unclear if this will materialize. The 'grand conspiracy' probe may continue to face staffing challenges and legal hurdles, with the potential for testimony from former FBI agents to complicate the case. The administration may need to reassess its approach to the probe, given the lack of charges and the departure of key personnel.