Joseph diGenova resigns from DOJ ‘grand conspiracy’ investigation into Trump’s political rivals

Joseph diGenova has resigned from the U.S. Department of Justice after serving for about five months as the lead prosecutor overseeing a controversial investigation into allegations that former government officials conspired against President Donald Trump.

Joseph diGenova has resigned from the U.S. Department of Justice after serving for about five months as the lead prosecutor overseeing a controversial investigation into allegations that former government officials conspired against President Donald Trump.

DiGenova submitted his resignation to Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday, bringing fresh uncertainty to the Florida-based investigation. He confirmed his departure but did not publicly provide detailed reasons for his decision.

The investigation, which some Trump allies have described as a “grand conspiracy” examines past government actions involving Trump and his political allies. It has focused on issues including the intelligence assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 election, the FBI’s investigation of Trump, the handling of classified documents and the 2022 search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

Reported disagreements over investigation

DiGenova’s resignation comes amid reports of growing tension within the Justice Department over the direction and pace of the investigation.

Sources cited by ABC News reported that Trump and senior DOJ officials had become increasingly frustrated with the progress of the probe. The Washington Post also reported that DiGenova resigned amid disagreements over how quickly the investigation was moving.

The probe has attracted attention because of its broad scope and its focus on former intelligence and law enforcement officials who were involved in earlier investigations concerning Trump.

DiGenova, a longtime Trump ally and former U.S. attorney, was brought into the Justice Department in April to oversee the Florida investigation. He had previously been a vocal supporter of claims that Trump was unfairly targeted by federal officials.

Grand Jury investigation continues

Despite DiGenova’s departure, the investigation is expected to continue under the management of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

The probe has recently intensified, with federal prosecutors issuing grand jury subpoenas to several high-profile former officials. Former CIA Director John Brennan, for example, has been subpoenaed to testify before a Florida grand jury as part of the investigation. Brennan has denied wrongdoing.

The investigation has not resulted in criminal charges so far. Its legal theory and scope have also drawn scrutiny, with legal experts questioning whether the various events under examination can ultimately be combined into a single criminal conspiracy case.

DiGenova’s departure creates new uncertainty

The sudden resignation leaves questions about who will take over the investigation and whether the DOJ will maintain its current strategy.

The Justice Department thanked DiGenova for his service and said the investigation would remain under the leadership of experienced prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida.

DiGenova’s exit marks another significant development in a politically sensitive investigation that has placed former senior intelligence and law enforcement officials under renewed scrutiny.

For now, the inquiry continues, but the departure of its lead prosecutor is likely to fuel further questions about its direction timetable and prospects for criminal charges.