A key federal prosecutor leading the investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan has been removed from the case after reportedly expressing doubts about the strength of the evidence, according to people familiar with the matter.
The prosecutor, Maria Medetis Long, had been overseeing the national security-focused probe out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami. She was reportedly involved in examining allegations that Brennan may have made false statements in congressional testimony related to intelligence assessments of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Officials familiar with internal discussions said Long raised concerns within the Justice Department about whether the available evidence was sufficient to support a criminal prosecution. Following those discussions, she informed attorneys connected to the case that she was no longer part of the investigation.
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The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed her removal but described it as part of routine personnel adjustments. A spokesperson said attorneys are regularly reassigned to “best allocate resources,” and emphasized that such changes are standard practice in complex investigations.
The broader investigation into Brennan has been ongoing for several months and has drawn significant political attention due to its connection with long-standing disputes over the intelligence community’s findings on Russian election interference. Brennan, who served as CIA Director under President Barack Obama, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Reports indicate that despite the personnel change, the investigation itself remains active, with prosecutors continuing to review documents, subpoena records, and consider potential witness interviews. However, it is not yet clear whether the removal of a senior prosecutor will affect the pace or direction of the probe.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of politically sensitive investigations involving former intelligence and law enforcement officials, with debates intensifying over the independence of federal prosecutorial decisions and the threshold for pursuing high-profile cases.
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