Trump Russia Probe Under New Scrutiny As DOJ Issues Grand Jury Subpoenas
The US Justice Department is demanding testimony before a Florida grand jury in an investigation seeking to establish an intelligence community conspiracy against President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.
New subpoenas issued to former government officials represent an escalation in the year-long investigation. Prosecutors are pursuing a theory that intelligence officials who scrutinised Trump over the past decade, including over Russian interference in the 2016 election, conspired against him and violated his rights.
Investigators recently contacted defence lawyers for some witnesses, informing them of forthcoming grand jury subpoenas. It was unclear how many had received them or were still waiting, while the identities of those subpoenaed were not immediately known. The sources spoke anonymously because grand jury proceedings are secret.
The investigation has focused heavily on the Trump Russia probe and the intelligence community assessment that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election at Russian President Vladimir Putin's direction. Trump has repeatedly described the finding as a “deep state” conspiracy designed to undermine his election victory.
Investigators have conducted numerous voluntary interviews, but the new subpoenas indicate an effort to secure sworn testimony. It remains unclear whether anyone will be charged or what offences prosecutors could allege.
Former CIA Director John Brennan has been identified by his lawyers as a target over allegations that he falsely testified to Congress, which Brennan and his attorneys deny. The Justice Department previously subpoenaed witnesses before a Washington grand jury in the Brennan investigation but withdrew them in favour of voluntary interviews.
The Florida probe involves Joe diGenova, a former Reagan administration prosecutor brought back into government service in April as a counselor to the attorney general. He has repeatedly claimed Trump was the victim of an intelligence community conspiracy and declined AP's request for comment.
Investigators are operating from Fort Pierce, Florida, home of Trump appointed Judge Aileen Cannon. Brennan's lawyers previously sought to prevent the investigation from being steered to Cannon, calling her a “favoured” Trump judge. They have also sued the administration seeking preservation of investigation records.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller previously found insufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy between Trump's campaign and Russia, while confirming sweeping Russian election interference. Later reviews found errors and omissions in the Russia probe but no criminal wrongdoing by senior officials or evidence of an anti Trump conspiracy.
Trump has since intensified demands for retribution, with former Attorney General Pam Bondi directing prosecutors last year to present evidence to a grand jury questioning the Russia inquiry.