The Justice Department has removed the veteran Miami federal prosecutor leading the criminal investigation against former CIA Director John Brennan, who is a vocal critic of Trump, for failing to heed a call to speed up the indictment process, according to multiple sources.
Southern District of Florida National Security Section Chief Maria Medetis Long briefed attorneys on Friday, April 17.
She said she was no longer involved in the politically sensitive investigation. For months, she had overseen the investigation amid growing demands from Trump to prosecute Brennan and other alleged adversaries.
This ouster follows the dismissal of former Attorney General Pam Bondi after complaints about the slow pace of cases the president wants to pursue.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, eager to maintain his role as permanent attorney general, is working very hard to meet the president’s needs.
In an effort to make their case, career prosecutors declined to rush to charge anyone, in light of their reservations about the strength of the case against Mr. Brennan.
Sources reveal that Miami U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones told DOJ officials that charges could take months to be filed.
However, the Justice Department defended the decision, saying the reassignment of lawyers is “entirely healthy and normal.”
