Subpoenas were issued in probe of Russia 'conspiracy,' then DOJ clawed them back, sources say

Source: MS NOW

The Justice Department on Monday night began withdrawing several subpoenas that had been issued just days prior in a criminal probe of former CIA Director John Brennan and a purported conspiracy by the Obama administration to embarrass President Donald Trump, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The dramatic shift in plans revealed some confusion and disorder in the controversial Justice Department investigation, which career prosecutors have privately criticized as lacking evidence and being politically motivated to please Trump.

The subpoenas, which were served over the weekend, had sought the scheduled testimony of witnesses purportedly with knowledge of the Obama administration’s decision to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. The subpoenas were touted by Trump administration allies as a sign of progress the Justice Department was making in a top political priority for the president: to go after the architects of the Russia probe that eventually became special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Trump’s campaign and Trump himself.

The subpoenas had ordered that former government officials and some current and former intelligence agency officials appear in coming weeks for questioning before a grand jury in Washington, where Trump’s Justice Department is looking to charge Brennan with making false statements about his and the CIA’s role in launching the Russia probe. FBI agents involved in the probe told lawyers for witnesses that they believe the investigation will now seek voluntary interviews from the officials instead, according to two of the people, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of an ongoing probe.

Read more: https://www.ms.now/news/subpoenas-were-issued-in-probe-of-russia-conspiracy-then-doj-clawed-them-back-sources-say

Subpoenas were issued in probe of Russia ‘conspiracy,’ then DOJ clawed them back, sources say - MS NOW apple.news/AHR9o5RbGQI-...

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