Justice Department subpoenas witnesses in John Brennan investigation

The Justice Department has subpoenaed several witnesses to testify before a federal grand jury in Washington as part of its investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The subpoenas were issued recently and indicate the department's effort to advance the investigation despite the departure of a Florida-based career prosecutor who expressed doubts about the case's legal viability.

A former Justice Department lawyer, Joseph diGenova, has been sworn in as a special counselor to the attorney general and is expected to work on the Brennan investigation. This investigation is one of several criminal probes initiated by the Justice Department against Trump's perceived adversaries and focuses on the intelligence community's finding that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to aid Trump.

Brennan, who served as CIA director under President Barack Obama, was in office when the intelligence community published an assessment of Russian interference in January 2017. The investigation follows a criminal referral from Rep. Jim Jordan, alleging that Brennan made false statements regarding the preparation of the intelligence assessment. Brennan and his legal team have denied any wrongdoing.

The latest subpoenas seek grand jury testimony in Washington, suggesting that prosecutors anticipate any potential criminal case would need to be brought there. The investigation has been ongoing for months, with previous subpoenas issued in Florida. The departure of prosecutor Maria Medetis Long, who expressed doubts about the case, raises questions about the investigation's direction and viability.

DiGenova, a Trump loyalist, has a controversial history, including support for Trump's claims regarding the 2020 election. His involvement in the Brennan investigation signals a potential shift in the approach taken by the Justice Department as it navigates the complexities of politically charged investigations.