Key Federal Prosecutor Quits Major Justice Department Inquiry Without Filing Charges
Washington, Friday, 11 September 2026.
Joe diGenova abruptly resigned from leading a Justice Department inquiry into political rivals after dozens of subpoenas produced zero criminal charges, signaling rising administrative frustration over slow results.
Abrupt Resignation Shakes Justice Department Leadership
Joe diGenova, an 81-year-old attorney and prominent loyalist to President Donald Trump, abruptly resigned from his position overseeing a controversial Justice Department investigation on Thursday, 3 September 2026 [1][2]. DiGenova submitted his resignation letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche at 3:00 p.m., marking the end of a five-month tenure leading the probe into former Biden and Obama administration officials [3][4]. Despite issuing dozens of subpoenas over the past year, the investigation concluded without filing criminal charges against a core subject prior to his sudden departure [1][2]. This development underscores the ongoing political and regulatory unpredictability within key federal agencies during the current administration [1].
Scope and Targets of the Grand Conspiracy Probe
The investigation, based out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida, purported to examine intelligence officials and others who investigated the president dating back to his 2016 campaign [1][4]. Specific focus was placed on former CIA Director John Brennan, with probes into whether he lied to Congress in 2023 regarding U.S. intelligence assessments of Russian interference in the 2016 election [3]. DiGenova replaced career prosecutor Maria Medetis Long in April 2026 after she expressed concerns regarding the strength of the evidence [3]. The probe included team members such as Victoria Toensing, Rudy Giuliani, and Sidney Powell, though Toensing is also departing the Justice Department on 4 September 2026 [3].
Administrative Friction and Future Directions
Sources familiar with the matter describe growing frustrations from President Trump and senior Justice Department officials regarding the speed and output of diGenova’s work [1][4]. While diGenova had pitched himself as someone who could ramp up the conspiracy investigation, leadership reportedly lost confidence in his ability to deliver prosecutions [1][2]. The Justice Department plans to continue the investigation using a team of Washington-based lawyers without immediately naming a specific replacement for diGenova [2]. In a statement to ABC News, diGenova said, It was an honor and a privilege to serve the president and the department, before declining further comment [1].