Full Breakdown
Resignation of Kurt Olsen from the Grand Conspiracy Probe
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 28, 2026, Kurt Olsen left the Justice Department’s U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, where he had been assigned to the “grand conspiracy” investigation that seeks to determine whether officials from the Obama- and Biden-era conspired against former President Donald Trump. The departure was confirmed by sources familiar with personnel matters; Olsen did not comment publicly.
Origins of the Grand Conspiracy Investigation
The probe, launched in early 2025, attempts to link multiple separate inquiries—including the 2016 Russian-interference case and the classified-documents investigation at Mar-a-Lago—into a single alleged plot to undermine Trump’s political standing. It has been described as the most expansive effort to pursue retributive actions requested by Trump against officials who have examined his conduct over the past decade.
Olsen’s Role and Prior Election-Law Activities
In that capacity he:
- Pressed the Justice Department in 2020 to file a Supreme Court lawsuit challenging the election results in key battleground states.
- Assisted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a failed bid to have the Supreme Court overturn President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.
- Represented Kari Lake in her 2022 Arizona gubernatorial contest, a case that resulted in sanctions from the Arizona Supreme Court for false statements.
- Made the referral that led the FBI to seize dozens of boxes of ballots from Fulton County, Georgia, and helped the department subpoena records from Maricopa County, Arizona.
These activities positioned Olsen as a prominent election denier within Trump’s inner circle, though he had no prior experience in election law before entering the administration.
Official Responses
The Justice Department has not issued a formal comment on Olsen’s resignation. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment when approached for clarification about the staffing change.
Concerns from Law-Enforcement Veterans
Veterans within the department have voiced unease about the investigation’s direction. These concerns highlight internal tension over the investigation’s credibility and pace.
Unresolved Questions and Information Gaps
- Evidence Base: It remains unclear what concrete evidence, if any, has been gathered to substantiate the claim of a coordinated plot against Trump.
- Potential Charges: No charges have been filed to date, and officials have not indicated whether the investigation will ultimately result in criminal indictments.
- Subpoena Timeline: An attorney for former CIA Director John Brennan disclosed that a subpoena discussion with Olsen was scheduled for October 25; the outcome of that scheduled subpoena has not been reported.
These gaps leave the ultimate scope and viability of the grand conspiracy case uncertain.
Future Steps
The Justice Department has hired two former prosecutors to replace departing staff members, suggesting an effort to maintain momentum on the investigation. However, with key figures exiting and internal criticism mounting, the timeline for any substantive developments—such as additional subpoenas, grand-jury testimonies, or potential charges—remains undefined.