Trump Ally diGenova Tapped to Lead DOJ Probe into Brennan Over Russia Probe Origins

The Department of Justice has appointed former Trump attorney Joseph diGenova to oversee an investigation into ex-CIA Director John Brennan and the origins of the Trump-Russia probe.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:08pm

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The Justice Department has tapped former Trump attorney Joseph diGenova to lead a probe into ex-CIA Director John Brennan and others over the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation. diGenova, a vocal critic of Brennan, will serve as counsel overseeing the matter as a federal grand jury in Miami continues its work on the sprawling inquiry.

Why it matters

The origins of the Russia investigation have been a major point of contention for Trump allies, who have argued that intelligence and law enforcement officials improperly launched the probe. diGenova's appointment puts a staunch Trump supporter in a key role overseeing the high-profile investigation.

The details

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has tapped diGenova to serve as counsel overseeing the matter, according to a New York Times report. A federal grand jury seated in Miami has been impaneled since late last year. diGenova, a former U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., has repeatedly accused Brennan of misconduct tied to the origins of the Russia probe, though his allegations have not resulted in criminal charges. He also said in a 2018 appearance on Fox News that Brennan colluded with the FBI and DOJ to frame Trump.

  • The federal grand jury in Miami has been impaneled since late last year.
  • diGenova's appointment follows the ouster of Maria Medetis Long, a national security prosecutor in the South Florida U.S. attorney's office, who had been overseeing the inquiry.

The players

Joseph diGenova

A former U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. who represented Trump during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and has repeatedly accused Brennan of misconduct tied to the origins of the Russia probe.

John Brennan

The former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who has denied wrongdoing related to the Russia investigation and defended the intelligence community's assessment that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election.

Todd Blanche

The Acting Attorney General who has tapped diGenova to serve as counsel overseeing the probe into Brennan and the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation.

Maria Medetis Long

A national security prosecutor in the South Florida U.S. attorney's office who had been overseeing the inquiry, including a false statements probe related to Brennan and broader conspiracy-related investigations.

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What they’re saying

“He also said in a 2018 appearance on Fox News that Brennan colluded with the FBI and DOJ to frame Trump.”

— Joseph diGenova, Former Trump Attorney

What’s next

As the investigation continues, federal investigators have issued subpoenas seeking information related to intelligence assessments of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The takeaway

The appointment of diGenova, a vocal Trump ally, to oversee the probe into Brennan and the origins of the Russia investigation underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding this high-profile inquiry. The outcome could have significant implications for the intelligence community's handling of the 2016 election interference.