Trump Ally Joseph DiGenova Tapped to Lead Criminal Probe Into Former CIA Chief John Brennan

The DOJ appoints Joseph DiGenova to lead the John Brennan investigation after a career prosecutor questioned the evidence, sparking concerns of politicization.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 19, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from CBS News

A Strategic Shift in Prosecution Leadership

The U.S. Justice Department has named Joseph DiGenova, a prominent conservative attorney and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, to lead the ongoing criminal probe into former CIA Director John Brennan. DiGenova, who previously represented the Trump campaign during its efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, will oversee the investigation from the Southern District of Florida. This appointment places a vocal political supporter in a sensitive role as counselor to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, directly managing a case that targets a high-profile critic of the President.

Personnel Turnover Amid Evidentiary Disputes

DiGenova’s entry into the case follows the abrupt removal of Maria Medetis Long, a career federal prosecutor who had been leading the team. According to a source familiar with the matter, Medetis Long was sidelined after she expressed significant concerns regarding the strength of the evidence gathered against Brennan. While the Justice Department described the personnel change as "healthy and normal," the move mirrors previous administration actions where career prosecutors were replaced by loyalists after questioning the viability of cases against political figures.

Allegations of Perjury and the Steele Dossier

The investigation into Brennan originated from a referral by the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee in October 2023. Committee Chairman Jim Jordan alleged that Brennan lied to Congress regarding the CIA’s use of the so-called Steele dossier—a controversial document containing unverified claims against Mr. Trump—during the drafting of the 2016 Russian interference intelligence assessment. Specifically, Jordan claimed Brennan falsely denied that the CIA relied on the dossier and inaccurately stated that the agency opposed its inclusion in the final assessment.