John Brennan grand jury subpoena
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The gist
Former CIA Director John Brennan was subpoenaed to testify before a Florida grand jury.
The subpoena lands in a probe of whether officials conspired against Trump.
Background
The subpoena relates to a Justice Department investigation informally called the "grand conspiracy" probe, examining whether Obama- and Trump-era law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired to deprive President Trump of his rights to keep him out of public office. Brennan's lawyers say the subpoena concerns a "far-reaching" criminal investigation in Fort Pierce, Fla., and that he remains a target in a separate Washington probe into whether he lied to Congress in 2023 — which he and his attorneys have consistently denied. Brennan sued the Trump administration in July, seeking to preserve records he says he needs to challenge any potential indictment as vindictive prosecution.
How it unfolded
- Sep 8, 2026AP reports new grand jury subpoenas are being sent in the Trump-Russia probe investigation; it remains unclear whether anyone will be charged or for what offense.
- Sep 9, 2026Joe diGenova signs a document aimed at Brennan for testimony before a federal grand jury sitting in Fort Pierce, Fla., according to Brennan attorney Ken Wainstein.
- Sep 10, 2026After Wainstein reaches out to diGenova, diGenova writes that he would "arrange counsel" to speak with them.
- Sep 14, 2026Wainstein writes in a court filing that prosecutors on Thursday presented him with a subpoena for Brennan to appear before a grand jury in Fort Pierce on Oct. 15; the subpoena was delivered the same day diGenova abruptly resigned.
- Sep 14, 2026Brennan's legal team asks a federal judge to grant a preliminary injunction in his July lawsuit against the Trump administration; Wainstein says prosecutor Kurt Olsen told them there are multiple "viable" grand jury investigations.
Who’s saying what
- Defense
- Brennan's lawyer Ken Wainstein argues "the threat of prosecution remains quite real" and alleges "intentional efforts" by the Justice Department to hide potential misconduct in the case.
- Brennan
- Brennan alleges the investigations targeting him are politically motivated and seeks a court order to preserve records and communications of top department and White House officials.
- Official
- The Justice Department has not named diGenova's replacement, and it remains unclear whether anyone will be charged or for what offense.
Still unverified
It remains unclear whether anyone will be charged or for what offense, though lawyers for Brennan have said they have been informed that he is a target as investigators examine whether he falsely testified to Congress — something he and his attorneys have consistently denied. The DOJ has not named diGenova's replacement.