Lead Prosecutor Withdraws from John Brennan Probe Amid Doubts Over Evidence

Federal prosecutors in Washington have removed a senior official from the investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan, following her reported reservations about the strength of evidence for a potential criminal case. Maria Medetis Long, head of the national security unit at the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of Florida, notified defense counsel that she would no longer participate in the matter, according to a person familiar with internal Justice Department discussions.

Long’s exit came after she communicated to Justice Department officials that she believed the material gathered against Brennan might not support a viable prosecution. The Justice Department confirmed her removal from the case but declined to comment on the specifics, describing the reassignment of attorneys as a standard practice to best allocate resources. Long directed further inquiries to her office’s spokesperson, who has yet to issue a comment.

The ongoing investigation has focused on Brennan’s role in the intelligence community’s 2016 assessment of Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election. In 2023, Justice Department officials began looking into allegations—forwarded by Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee—that Brennan gave false testimony regarding the assessment's preparation. Brennan has firmly rejected these accusations through his legal team.

The probe has seen a flurry of subpoenas in recent months, with additional witness interviews reportedly in preparation. However, it remains undecided whether any charges will ultimately be filed, or how Long’s departure may influence the case or the cooperation of witnesses.

Recent changes in Justice Department leadership reflect ongoing political pressure, with President Donald Trump replacing Pam Bondi as attorney general earlier this month and now acting attorney general Todd Blanche voicing support for presidential involvement in politically charged investigations. The case against Brennan remains open as prosecutors continue their review.