DOJ Removes Lead Prosecutor From John Brennan Perjury Probe After She Questioned Charges
The Justice Department removed lead prosecutor Maria Medetis Long from the John Brennan perjury probe, sources said Thursday. Medetis Long is with the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of Florida and had been helping Miami U.S. Attorney Jason Quinones on the investigation. She told superiors she did not believe there was enough justification to file criminal charges against Brennan, and she emailed attorneys that she would no longer work on the case.
The probe traces to a 2025 referral by Rep. Jim Jordan alleging Brennan made false statements to Congress in 2023. The DOJ issued a statement calling personnel changes "completely healthy and normal" and part of routine practice. Reuters reported the FBI is ramping up the Brennan investigation and plans to interview about six witnesses, including former U.S. intelligence officials, in coming weeks. Brennan has denied wrongdoing, and the inquiry dovetails with Republicans' scrutiny of the 2017 U.S. intelligence assessment on Russian interference.
Early coverage emphasized the reassignment and DOJ assurances that staffing moves are routine. Later reporting, including outlets that named Medetis Long and reported she questioned bringing charges, shifted focus to whether the change reflected internal disagreement or outside pressure. The removal has also prompted debate on social media and news pages, with users and commentators split between seeing political interference and seeing standard personnel management.
đ Key Facts
- The lead prosecutor in the case was identified as Maria Medetis Long of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
- Medetis Long was removed from the John Brennan perjury probe after telling superiors she believed there was not ample justification to bring criminal charges and then emailing attorneys that she would no longer be working on the investigation.
- She had agreed weeks earlier to help Miami U.S. Attorney Jason Quinones investigate alleged law violations tied to how the Obama DOJ opened the Russia-interference investigation.
- The probe traces to a 2025 referral by Rep. Jim Jordan alleging that Brennan made false statements to Congress in 2023.
- The Department of Justice issued an on-the-record statement calling personnel changes in the matter 'completely healthy and normal' and a 'routine practice.'
- Reuters reported the FBI is ramping up the Brennan probe and plans to interview about six witnesses, including former U.S. intelligence officials, in the coming weeks.
- Brennan has denied wrongdoing; the case is connected to broader scrutiny of the 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian interference that helped Donald Trump.
đ° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Identifies the lead prosecutor as Maria Medetis Long of the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of Florida.
- Reports she told superiors she believed there was not ample justification to bring criminal charges against John Brennan.
- Says she had agreed weeks earlier to help Miami U.S. Attorney Jason Quinones probe alleged law violations tied to how the Obama DOJ opened the Russia-interference investigation.
- Clarifies the probe stems from a 2025 referral by Rep. Jim Jordan alleging Brennan made false statements to Congress in 2023.
- Notes Medetis Long emailed attorneys on Thursday stating she would no longer be working on the investigation.
- Includes an on-the-record DOJ statement calling such personnel changes 'completely healthy and normal' and 'routine practice.'
- Adds Reuters reporting that the FBI is ramping up the Brennan probe and plans to interview about six witnesses, including former U.S. intelligence officials, in coming weeks.
- Reiterates that Brennan has denied wrongdoing and ties the case to scrutiny of the 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian interference helping Trump.