Trump’s ‘grand conspiracy’ probe presses on with subpoenas after the lead prosecutor’s exit

Before taking over the Justice Department investigation into foes of President Donald Trump, Joe diGenova criticized the lack of progress in bringing indictments. Five months after assuming his position, diGenova has left without charging a single case, casting doubt on the future of an investigation that has captivated right-wing commentators seeking to prove a vague "deep state" conspiracy theory against Trump.

Despite diGenova's departure, Justice Department officials are pushing ahead, preparing for a wave of subpoenas to former law enforcement and intelligence officials, which may lead to grand jury testimony at the Fort Pierce, Florida, home of a pro-Trump federal judge. However, the question of whether anyone will ultimately be charged, and for what, remains unresolved.

The investigation, known colloquially as the "grand conspiracy" case, exemplifies the Trump administration's attempts to use law enforcement powers against the president's opponents. The probe seeks to connect multiple FBI investigations into Trump, such as Russian election interference and his possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, into a single narrative of government conspiracy.

Critics argue that the theory lacks solid evidence and a basis in criminal misconduct, with retired federal prosecutor Randall Eliason stating there is no basis for connecting the various investigations into one single conspiracy or alleging any criminal acts against Trump. DiGenova's appointment was controversial, as he is known for expressing extreme views and has faced legal challenges in the past.