Full Breakdown
Kurt Olsen Resigns from DOJ Amid Turmoil in Trump-Focused “Grand Conspiracy” Probe
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Resignation of a Trump Ally from the “Grand Conspiracy” Investigation
- On September 28 2026, Kurt Olsen, a lawyer who promoted former President Donald Trump’s false 2020 election claims, left the Justice Department, sources said. Olsen had been assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, working on a probe described by officials as investigating a “grand conspiracy” by officials who examined Trump and his inner circle from the 2016 campaign through post-presidential criminal probes. The investigation has not produced any charges to date.
Background & Context
- Olsen’s career shifted from securities litigation to election-related work after the 2020 election. He also assisted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2020 Supreme Court bid and represented Kari Lake in a 2022 Arizona gubernatorial contest, for which an Arizona court sanctioned him for false statements.
- The “grand conspiracy” probe, launched in the Southern District of Florida, seeks evidence that intelligence officials and other actors conspired to deprive Trump of his rights. Prosecutors have pursued testimony from figures tied to the 2016 Russian-interference investigation and the classified-documents case at Mar-a-Lago.
Timeline
- September 2026 – Kurt Olsen resigns from the DOJ (reported September 28, 2026).
- Early September 2026 – Joseph diGenova, another Trump-aligned prosecutor, resigns from the same investigation.
- Earlier this month (September 2026) – An attorney for former CIA Director John Brennan disclosed a discussion with Olsen about a subpoena scheduled for October 25.
- October 25 2026 (scheduled) – Grand-jury subpoena for John Brennan to testify in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Data & Statistics
- No criminal charges have been filed in the “grand conspiracy” investigation as of the latest reports.
- Multiple attorneys assigned to the Southern District of Florida team have departed in recent weeks; sources indicate some were on temporary detail assignments whose terms have expired.
Official Statements & Responses
- A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on Olsen’s departure.
- Law-enforcement veterans cited by CBS News expressed concern that the investigation is being staffed with personnel perceived as politically motivated, though the department has added two former prosecutors to the team, according to a source.
Criticism & Opposition
- The same source noted internal dissent when a lead national-security prosecutor on the Brennan line was replaced after raising doubts about the case’s strength.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Sources differ on whether the departing attorneys, including Olsen, were permanent hires or temporary detail assignments whose terms simply ended.
- The precise scope of Olsen’s involvement in the “grand conspiracy” probe remains unclear; officials have not disclosed his specific duties, and no public filings detail his contributions beyond the Brennan subpoena discussion.
Why It Matters
- Olsen’s exit, following diGenova’s resignation, underscores instability within a high-profile DOJ investigation that targets officials from prior administrations. The turnover raises questions about the investigation’s viability and the Department’s ability to pursue complex, politically sensitive cases.
What’s Next
- The scheduled October 25 grand-jury subpoena of John Brennan will proceed, providing the first major testimony in the probe.
- The Justice Department has indicated that two new former prosecutors have joined the team, suggesting an effort to stabilize staffing ahead of upcoming grand-jury proceedings.
