Career Prosecutor Steps Aside From Trump-Era Brennan Probe Over Evidence Concerns

A Justice Department lawyer with extensive experience has withdrawn her participation from a high-profile investigation initiated during the Trump administration targeting former CIA Director John O. Brennan. Maria Medetis Long, a career prosecutor based in Miami, reportedly stepped aside after raising significant doubts about the strength and sufficiency of the evidence gathered against Brennan. Her departure highlights internal tensions within the department regarding the investigation's legal foundation. The probe into Brennan, a prominent critic of former President Trump, was part of broader efforts by Trump-era appointees to examine the actions of officials involved in the Russia investigation and intelligence community assessments of Russian interference. Long's decision to recuse herself underscores the challenges faced by career attorneys when cases perceived as politically sensitive are pursued. Her withdrawal raises questions about the viability of the prosecution and the standards applied in investigations stemming from the previous administration's focus on its perceived adversaries within the intelligence community.