Joseph diGenova, the former U.S. attorney and longtime ally of President Donald Trump, has resigned from his role overseeing a Justice Department investigation into past investigations involving Trump and several former government officials. His departure adds uncertainty to a politically sensitive probe that has yet to produce criminal charges.
DiGenova confirmed his resignation on Thursday, saying it had been an honor to serve the president and the Justice Department. He did not publicly provide a detailed explanation for his decision.
Investigation Focused on Trump’s Political and Legal Foes
The Florida-based investigation has examined several issues that have remained central to Trump’s longstanding grievances with federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Investigators have looked at the U.S. intelligence community’s 2017 assessment that Russia sought to influence the 2016 presidential election in Trump’s favor. The inquiry has also examined investigations surrounding Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and efforts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 election.
Federal investigators have interviewed current and former intelligence personnel and have recently sought information from FBI officials connected to the 2022 Mar-a-Lago search.
Despite the scope of the inquiry, no criminal charges have emerged from the investigation so far.
Resignation Comes Amid Questions Over Pace of Probe
DiGenova, 81, returned to the Justice Department in April and was placed in charge of the investigation. He previously served as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia during the Reagan administration and has remained a vocal supporter of Trump.
His resignation comes after reports of growing frustration among senior Justice Department officials and people close to the White House over the pace and management of the investigation. DiGenova pushed back against suggestions that he had failed to move the probe forward quickly enough, arguing that criminal cases require sufficient evidence before prosecutors seek indictments.
The investigation had already experienced internal disruption before DiGenova took over. A career prosecutor involved in the inquiry was previously removed after raising concerns about aspects of the case, particularly its legal foundation.
Legal Questions Could Complicate Future Charges
Former CIA Director John Brennan has been among the officials scrutinized by investigators. Brennan has denied wrongdoing, while his lawyers have taken legal action seeking preservation of records connected to the investigation.
The broader inquiry has attracted attention because Trump supporters have argued that former intelligence and law enforcement officials worked together as part of a coordinated effort against him. Earlier government investigations found significant problems in aspects of the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation, but did not establish a criminal conspiracy involving senior officials.
Legal experts have also questioned whether prosecutors in Florida could pursue charges tied to conduct that largely occurred in Washington and Virginia. Another challenge is determining whether several investigations involving Trump at different points in time can legally be combined into a single conspiracy case.
DiGenova’s resignation now leaves the future direction of the Justice Department investigation uncertain as prosecutors continue to examine allegations involving former intelligence and law enforcement officials.
